No alternator output

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Feb 27, 2007 | 05:46 AM

jshepar

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From: Rural Iowa

No alternator output

Yesterday I wash the truck after the last snow to get rid of the anti-icing salt. As I leave I notice the ammeter fluctuating rapidly with battery symbol flashing. I turn on the dome light and it's dimming and returning to normal in time with the meter, etc. After 5 miles of this, and no affect on the engine performance, all returns to normal and I return home from work. I use the truck the next day to do some work in the eight inch snow in the yard outside of the house. No problems. The next day I do the same thing and when I plug up the engine heater for use the next day I notice the headlights are dim. When I check the ammeter it's flat - no output. I tell my wife she may have to take me to work the next day. When I turn the truck on to start the next morning it will hardly turn over. After charge the battery to full charge, what is my next move?

Feb 27, 2007 | 07:08 AM

Uzumati

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From: Central, Al

Quote:

Originally Posted by jshepar

ammeter fluctuating rapidly with battery symbol flashing

Sound like the voltage regulator, you did bag the Alt before the wash? Unfortunately we have to change the whole alt or have it rebuilt.

Feb 27, 2007 | 07:30 PM

jshepar

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From: Rural Iowa

I forgot to say that the reason for the early time for the post was I wrote it before my work time. That I would be gone on my 10 hour day. I was in my work day motel home as I work on the road in the state of Iowa where I go wherever there's trouble. Currently that's related to the last snow fall that put over 200K out of electricity. I'm an electrician for the DOT. This all keeps me from chatting like normal folks, but I appreciate any help.

Like from Alan. Are you suggesting I need to bag my alternator when I go thru a car wash? Which I only use because they are more effecient at cleaning the underbody so I can clean off as much salt as possible. I already found the awful truth about alternator repair is only by replacement. And Ford and everybody else wonders why their sales are down.
BTW how do any of you place a "Quote" in a box to repeat that part of a post you want emphsize like you did with your reply quoting "ammeter fluctuating rapidly with battery symbol flashing"?

J

Feb 27, 2007 | 07:40 PM

Uzumati

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From: Central, Al

Na, I thought you were talking about washing the engine.

To quote
[_Quote_=Me] yada yada [/_Quote_] (ignore the under scores) will display

Quote:

Originally Posted by Me

yada yada

Feb 27, 2007 | 09:38 PM

nickle&dimeya

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here is what you need to do iv washed my motor from working on it alot never bagged the alt but here is what i do no last aug started my truck to move it to other drive and that night it rained went to start the truck the next day and the alt light was on no volts so i took the one off my other psd no volts so here is what i did on the alt there is 2 wires one is orange jump that one to the pos side of batt if your volts go back to normel then you have a wire prob, i drove my psd like that for 6 months b4 i found out what was wrong had a broke wire just off the 40 pin harrness truck side try that let me no

Feb 28, 2007 | 05:22 AM

jshepar

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From: Rural Iowa

Here is my attempt at a quote-

[Quote=jshepar] Thanks, Alan [\Quote]
[Quote=Me] Thanks, Alan [\Quote]

nickle&dimeya-
I'll try that this Friday, IF I'm not dealing with more #$%!!#$%&& SNOW! Thanks.

J