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Old Oct 13, 2007 | 09:13 PM
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79 F150 charging problem

Hey All,
My 79 f-150 plow truck won't charge? I just had the altinator checked at auto zone and they say it's OK. I replaced the voltage reg and just metered out all wires/fusable links coming from the altinator they checked OK. I'm at a loss can anyone suggest a fix or what to check next?
Thanks,
Ken
 
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Old Oct 13, 2007 | 10:06 PM
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From: Easton,Ks
Do you have a charge light or a gauge?
 
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Old Oct 14, 2007 | 11:52 AM
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Just a idiot light on the dash that is on. Worked fine last winter and fired it up yesterday and was not charging?
 
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Old Oct 14, 2007 | 01:26 PM
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I know you checked the fusible links, but just to make sure, check to see if you have battery voltage on the large bat terminal in back of the alt with the engine off.

Make sure you have bat voltage on the yellow "A" wire going to the reg with the engine off.

With the key in run, engine off, make sure you have some sort of voltage on the "i" terminal of the reg(I believe you will since you said the dash light is burning)

Finally, with the truck running, see how much voltage you have on the "f" terminal of the reg, and write back in with that.

P.S. I just thought of something that needs to be checked. Make sure the reg case is grounded properly. The best way to do this is run a wire under one of the mounting bolts, and hook the other end to the engine block or the battery negative.
 

Last edited by Franklin2; Oct 14, 2007 at 01:28 PM.
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Old Oct 14, 2007 | 05:29 PM
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So Is the warning lamp lit up constantly or flickers ?

have you put a multi-meter on the battery with the engine revved up ?

The VR doesn't normally kick in until about 850-900 RPM
 
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Old Oct 21, 2007 | 11:07 AM
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OK, CHECKED A has bat voltage, I has battery voltage with key on, F has nothing running? Ran new grounds from reg,started sol to battery ground. Tryed new alternator for kicks and still no charging? The alt light is on soild no flickering. I'm lost someone have any idea what is going on here?
Thanks,
Ken
 
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Old Oct 21, 2007 | 01:28 PM
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Use a jumper wire between A & F connection on wiring connector
 
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Old Oct 21, 2007 | 01:44 PM
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OK, That got me charging BUT the voltage kept climbing was up to 16.5 before I shut it down. What's next?
 
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Old Oct 21, 2007 | 02:56 PM
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The voltage regulator is bad. Make sure the "F" wire going from the alt to the reg is ok and doesn't have any bare spots. The "F" wire grounding out will fry the regulator in a second.
 
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Old Oct 21, 2007 | 03:17 PM
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OK Thanks I'll get a new one this one is brand new. The wire is in great shape . I'll keep you posted. I hope this is it.
 
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Old Oct 26, 2007 | 10:33 AM
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Replaced Regulator and still not charging? This is not looking good. I don't get it. I replaced everything but wireing and all that tested and looks good. No corrosion or splices, fusable links OK. Anybody else know what is going on? Does the ingnition switch have anything to do with this? I'm going to change it next just to make sure.
Thanks all,
Ken
 
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Old Oct 26, 2007 | 10:49 AM
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From: Easton,Ks
Sounds like the Regulator does not have a common ground from the alternator and battery, all three must share a good ground to each other.

As far as the ignition switch goes if you have voltage on the "I" connection of the Regulator with the key in the on (RUN) position then the ignition switch is doing its job.
If you do not have power at the "I" connection of the Regulator then that is your problem.

This diagram is for a car but your system should be close.

/
 

Last edited by subford; Oct 26, 2007 at 10:52 AM.
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Old Oct 26, 2007 | 11:35 AM
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I agree, possibly your "I" wire is grounded somewhere? That would make the light in the dash burn all the time, and it would not charge. Everything else seems to be ok. Check for voltage on the "I" with the key in run with the engine off, and then with it running.
 
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Old Oct 26, 2007 | 12:24 PM
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Anyone know where to get a voltage regulator plug? I just found that the connector is most likey the issue. I'd like to stay stock "looking" rather than using single wire connectors.
 
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Old Oct 26, 2007 | 01:58 PM
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The H.E.L.P. section or a shop that rebuilds alternators/starters and has a vehicle bay to repair cars/trucks on site.

Also check the FTE classifieds for parts (ie: The whole harness)
 
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