Intermittent Alternator (battery) Light

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Mar 11, 2006 | 10:16 PM

TBloggins

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Intermittent Alternator (battery) Light

It started acting up the other day. If I jump on the accelerator or kick it into pass on the highway, my alternator light comes on. The volts drop off on the guage, and the altenator is showing no output. All of a sudden, it will go out and the guage comes up to about 17 volts, with nothing running. I've checked the wiring at the alternator, and it seems tight and connected. The belt has sufficient tension. Has anyone come across this before, and what was your fix? I can get a new 75 amp unit, if this one is goiing south. Or maybe it's a wonky voltage regulator? I don't want to get a new alt if that's not the problem. Thanks.

Mar 11, 2006 | 10:38 PM

quicklook2

Post Fiend

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 11,289

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From: Lakewood, Ohio

the voltage regulator is part of the alternator.

sounds like you need to replace or rebuild it.

Mar 12, 2006 | 08:13 AM

subford

Fleet Owner

Joined: Aug 2005

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From: Easton,Ks

The brushes are about gone, you can replace them or the alternator.

Mar 12, 2006 | 03:18 PM

TBloggins

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Thanks guys. Swapped it out in about ten minutes. Works fine now.

Mar 12, 2006 | 10:36 PM

Boss429F150

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Joined: Oct 2005

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check all of your wiring in the charging circuit. I had the same problem in my '89 F150 and thought altenator until it happened again. Turned out I had a fusible link that was corroded and a couple broken wires. My main problem was the wire for the battery light and voltage gage.