My friends 1997 F350 Diesel has the battery light staying on. Is this most likely the alternator? Any ideas on what steps to take first? Thanks in advance guys.

 

ALL BOY, with the truck running and lights on go under the hood and wiggle the wires on the alternator and look for the lights to flicker, or the batt light go off. Both the 3 wire clip and single wire. I had an issue with the white wire. The battery light would come on but it still showed it was charging. I pulled the pins out of the clips and cleaned them and haven't had a problem since. Here is a thread that I explained more on.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...ng-issues.html

I hope that helps. If not, take the alt off and take it to the parts store and have them check it. Most likely its a voltage regulator, and you can get those for about $40 as opposed to $100 plus for an alternator. If you don't have somewhere that can test it, I would change the voltage regulator. you can remove it from the back of the alternator with 4 torx screws. Just make sure which ones you are taking out, I believe there are 6 total screws and 2 hold the brushes. Just get the 4 on the outside corners. Once you pull the regulator off, look down in the alternator at the shaft, if it looks like the brushes have eaten away the shaft, yeah it's alternator time. But if it looks good, throw a regulator at it and I bet it will fix your problem. Again, I hope that helps.

 

Thanks for tips Rubber Duck. Very helpfull.

 

My pleasure, keep us updated.