Charging system nightmare
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Charging system nightmare
I have a 1995 f150 supervab with a 4.9 liter inline 6. I just recently upgraded my instrument panel from a stock panel with no tachometer to a panel out of a 1996 ford that had a tach. Ths is my delema. After changing out the panels everything seemed to work great but I noticed my battery charging guage was showing low charge. I have tried two brand new alternators and still cannot get any charge. Is this possibly someting to do with the panel i installed or is it just fluke the problem started with the instrument panel swap?
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
It could be the gauge.. but better to get out a multimeter first and check the voltage at the battery. You should have a solid 12 volts with the engine off and 13.5v or more with the engine running. If not disconnect the battery and measure it alone. If it's below 12v and does not recover after charging it's developed a bad cell and should be replaced.
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There have been numerous reports of charging problems after a gauge cluster swap. Usually ths involves swapping different years cluster. The slight wiring differences from year to year, cause the alternator to basically fail to turn on. If your tests show alternator is not turning on and bringing volts up when engine is runing, try swapping back your old cluster. It is also remotely possible you didn't get something plugged in well during the swap.
good luck Frank
good luck Frank
Last edited by fmr9; Jul 20, 2006 at 09:57 AM.
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some more updates
I had the alternator tested and it tests out fine putting out 20 volts under full load. I tested the battery it is fine pumping out 12 volts. With the truck running the alternator fails to turn on and my voltage stays at 12 volts untill it drops down due to discharge. I will swap back my orignal panel and see if it makes a difference. the problem started when I changed out the cluster.
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From: Northern CA
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I found a solution to my probel My truck is a 1995 and on the printed circuit board on the back of the cluster the last two numbers in the black ink read 95, the cluster I installed was from a 1992 and it turned my charging system off. I had a third cluster at home from a 1994, I installed it and everything works great again, so I agree that 1994 and 1995 clusters are interchangable.
Fleet Owner
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From: Easton,Ks
The Connector on the back of 1992 & 93 is in on pin 12 and out on pin 11.
The Connector on the back of 1994 - 1996 is in on pin 14 and out on pin 1.
So 1994 - 1996 will interchange and 1992 & 1993 will interchange by the charging prints. I do not know if they mount the or look the same.
The Connector on the back of 1994 - 1996 is in on pin 14 and out on pin 1.
So 1994 - 1996 will interchange and 1992 & 1993 will interchange by the charging prints. I do not know if they mount the or look the same.
