Not charging question
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: NJ where fun comes to die
Not charging question
My 96 E series stopped charging. My alternator is original so I took it off and had it tested. They said it was bad. The regulator is internal. I had it rebuilt, but it was expensive since it is 215 amps. I got it back and put it on and still not charging. My question is should there be 12 volts at the red wire on the back of the alternator, key on or off? How about any fuses involved? I hate to pull it off without checking everything else. Since it is an E series it takes about an hour to get it out. Thanks for any help. This is my busy season and it is costing me big time not having this truck on the road.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: MICHIGAN
There are 3 charging systems listed for a Van w/PSD. How many wires are coming from the alternator?
If you have the ambulance package (4 wires), it's hooked directly to the RH battery on the ambulance package. Check the 30A Mega fuse. It's located on the RH front of engine, mounted below generator/regulator.
If that's hard to get to You can ohm between the positive post on the RH battery and the wire on the alternator to see if the fuse has popped.
If you have the ambulance package (4 wires), it's hooked directly to the RH battery on the ambulance package. Check the 30A Mega fuse. It's located on the RH front of engine, mounted below generator/regulator.
If that's hard to get to You can ohm between the positive post on the RH battery and the wire on the alternator to see if the fuse has popped.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Johnson City, TN.
I had to replace the one on our 2000. I know it is not a OBS but still. I do believe the big post on the alternator is 12V Possible as high as 15V and I would imagine that is with the key on and running. You can check the batteries and any autozone or advance will do it for you. I would probably take it to the people that told you the Alt. was bad or the ones who rebuilt it for you. My guess is that you have at least 1 bad battery since the Alt was bad. And don't be surprised if the other battery dies within 6 months. That is what happened to me. 1 bad alt. 1 semi bad batt. replaced both and 6 mos. later another bad batt. The batteries were around 2 years old but I believe the alt killed them slowly.
How do you know it is not charging? How old are your batteries? How long was the alt bad and not charging? The more info the better as I am sure you well know as you are a post master. I bow to you.
How do you know it is not charging? How old are your batteries? How long was the alt bad and not charging? The more info the better as I am sure you well know as you are a post master. I bow to you.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: NJ where fun comes to die
Thanks for the replies. The batteries (motorcraft) were new about last Nov. I have a dash gauge and an aftermarket one next to the dash. Both said no charge. I put a meter on the right side battery and no charge. There is a red hot wire, a black ground, and a plug with 4 wires coming out on the back.The alternator went bad on Friday afternoon. I quit driving it after I got home. I pulled the alt. on monday and took it in to have it tested. Nobody had one in stock. Ford wanted $880.00 for one. That is why i had it rebuilt. Only $300.00. The shop is local, (been there for about 30 years), and I never had a problem with their starters or alternators until now. I will check the fuse in the morning. Cuda, my fuse box under the hood is on the drivers side below the brake mc. Is that where the fuse is? I do have 12 volts on the red wire on the back of the alternator.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: MICHIGAN
The fuse is where I said above. It's not in the under hood fuse panel. Those are maxifuses in there, the one you want is a megafuse, it's bolted into a special holder at both ends of the fuse. IIRC, it's all by itself.
I made a mistake there are only 2 charging sytems not 3 like I said above.
There is a 5 wire alternator "3G Generator" is what ford calls it.
one Light green/Red
two White/BlacK (This is a jumper on the alternator, it's actually 1 wire)
one BlacK/Orange
one Yellow/White
The Diesel ambulance package (200A) alternator has 4 wires:
one LG/R
one solid Red
one solid Yellow
one solid Black
I can send the schematics in the AM, hopefully, can't get them to post right now.
PM your email address.
I made a mistake there are only 2 charging sytems not 3 like I said above.
There is a 5 wire alternator "3G Generator" is what ford calls it.
one Light green/Red
two White/BlacK (This is a jumper on the alternator, it's actually 1 wire)
one BlacK/Orange
one Yellow/White
The Diesel ambulance package (200A) alternator has 4 wires:
one LG/R
one solid Red
one solid Yellow
one solid Black
I can send the schematics in the AM, hopefully, can't get them to post right now.
PM your email address.
Last edited by Cuda_jim; Jul 31, 2007 at 08:37 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,010
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From: Johnson City, TN.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,903
Likes: 1
From: MICHIGAN
Originally Posted by Neal 97 250
Man Cuda I really want to know where you get your knowledge. You DA MAN
Neal, you made 1000 posts According to rubberduck rules, you now have extra HP in your truck
BTW: Knowledge comes from a poor childhood, all I had to play with as a kid was...... Ok j/k, it's in the service manual.
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Logistics Pro
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From: NJ where fun comes to die
Update: The first thing that went bad was the alternator. It was overcharging and fried the mega fuse. But the plastic part that holds the fuse was broken also. So when I pushed my arm around the alternator to check for juice, I was pushing against the cable, and the fuse parts touched and made contact, so I had power on the back of the rebuilt alternator. When I pulled my arm out I lost the contact and it would not charge. I didn't know the mega fuse was there. Another problem solved by the gurus at FTE. Thanks Jim and Neal. $300 for the alternator and $7 for the fuse. I drove all over today. Great!
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