Battery light
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 181
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From: Michigan
Battery light
2 days 2 problems with truck, scared to see what happens tomorrow.
Battery light on dash came on at start up last night, started to flicker as I got RPM's up and then went off at high RPM's. Light went off the rest of the way home. This morning light was on at start up and flickered again at high RPM but then stayed on and did not go off. Any ideas? Alternator going bad? Did not throw any codes that my Superchips picked up. Batteries are about 2-3 months new. Gauge shows 12-13 volts.
Battery light on dash came on at start up last night, started to flicker as I got RPM's up and then went off at high RPM's. Light went off the rest of the way home. This morning light was on at start up and flickered again at high RPM but then stayed on and did not go off. Any ideas? Alternator going bad? Did not throw any codes that my Superchips picked up. Batteries are about 2-3 months new. Gauge shows 12-13 volts.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Grafton , WV
Yukon,
From what you are describing, my truck has been doing the same thing since I purchased it. ( over 2 years ). The only differance is mine stay's on for a while and then goes off. What I have read on this site, is leading to the alternator going south. I believe I read somewhere where it is possible that a diode in the alternator is going bad, but I'm not exactly sure. I do know that I have heard of this before and the fine people on this site said to replace the alternator. I haven't replaced mine yet, but I probable should. My truck seems to be charging ok, and the batteries seem ok, so I just haven't replaced it. Hope this helps, Just my .02. Good Luck
From what you are describing, my truck has been doing the same thing since I purchased it. ( over 2 years ). The only differance is mine stay's on for a while and then goes off. What I have read on this site, is leading to the alternator going south. I believe I read somewhere where it is possible that a diode in the alternator is going bad, but I'm not exactly sure. I do know that I have heard of this before and the fine people on this site said to replace the alternator. I haven't replaced mine yet, but I probable should. My truck seems to be charging ok, and the batteries seem ok, so I just haven't replaced it. Hope this helps, Just my .02. Good Luck
Last edited by 670johndeere; Dec 4, 2007 at 09:03 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
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From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
hhmmm... Sounds like a weak alternator to me. Mine came on and stayed on. Replaced with a new one (not reman) back in June and it has been fine so far. There is a place to get some really heavy duty alts, which I wish I knew about before I bought mine from AZ for almost $200. For not a lot more, I could've had a 160A heavy duty, or even a REALLY stout 200A...
http://www.alternatorparts.com/Ford_...oke_Diesel.htm
http://www.alternatorparts.com/Ford_...oke_Diesel.htm
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
Likes: 2
From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
You know, you might also check out the battery cables. Come to think of it, my Bronco had a similar problem and it turned out to be cables that were very corroded (actually inside the cable, not the connectors!).
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From: Michigan
I did give my connections a thought but thought I would see that on my gauge. I'll check that at lunch while I check my 4x4 vac issues. Good way to lose weight, work on truck instead of eating.
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Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,499
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From: Sterling Heights,Mi
a "kwik" mod that may save you some money for a bit. take a number 6awg wire from the alt terminal straight to positive of the battery. I believe his mod has a ground wire ran to the engine as well, I used a #3awg incase I ever go to heavier alt. by the way, use copper, not alumn wire.
If you want pictures, send a pm with your email, I take a couple and send them to you.
If you want pictures, send a pm with your email, I take a couple and send them to you.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
I started looking for a replacement alternator after I took my 2000's apart to replace the rear bearing and noticed excessive brush and commutator-ring wear. The grooves worn into the ring were about 3/32" deep, with commensurate brush wear, so it was just a matter of time. I had no charging problems at all at the time.
I found a guy on eBay selling a stock (105-amp) one from a 2005 6-oh. Got it for $20 + shipping. Replaced the rear bearing in it, just to be sure, and everything looked brand-new inside, including the brushes.
It continues to do its job, and I've got a "temporary", grooved, substitute on the shelf.
Pop
I found a guy on eBay selling a stock (105-amp) one from a 2005 6-oh. Got it for $20 + shipping. Replaced the rear bearing in it, just to be sure, and everything looked brand-new inside, including the brushes.
It continues to do its job, and I've got a "temporary", grooved, substitute on the shelf.
Pop
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,499
Likes: 10
From: Sterling Heights,Mi
Originally Posted by SpringerPop
I started looking for a replacement alternator after I took my 2000's apart to replace the rear bearing and noticed excessive brush and commutator-ring wear. The grooves worn into the ring were about 3/32" deep, with commensurate brush wear, so it was just a matter of time. I had no charging problems at all at the time.
I found a guy on eBay selling a stock (105-amp) one from a 2005 6-oh. Got it for $20 + shipping. Replaced the rear bearing in it, just to be sure, and everything looked brand-new inside, including the brushes.
It continues to do its job, and I've got a "temporary", grooved, substitute on the shelf.
Pop
I found a guy on eBay selling a stock (105-amp) one from a 2005 6-oh. Got it for $20 + shipping. Replaced the rear bearing in it, just to be sure, and everything looked brand-new inside, including the brushes.
It continues to do its job, and I've got a "temporary", grooved, substitute on the shelf.
Pop
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
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From: La La Land
Yes, believe it or not! Unfortunately, you can't just buy "brushes" any more, as a 6G uses a regulator with sealed-in brushes incorporated as part of it. The regulator is around $35, on average, and different "qualities" are offered for sale. You can buy diode packs, though I have not seen individual diodes for sale. Stator windings, too. Bearings are available through any good bearing house, but the rear one is a "wide" variant of a standard size. When you're ready to actually do the job, I'll look it up again.
Here's an article about testing the regulators, and it describes the different 6G regulators available. We only use the "grey" ones.
http://duboismarketing.com/pages/article.asp?id=18
Pop
Here's an article about testing the regulators, and it describes the different 6G regulators available. We only use the "grey" ones.
http://duboismarketing.com/pages/article.asp?id=18
Pop
Last edited by SpringerPop; Dec 4, 2007 at 11:45 AM.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
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From: Michigan
One neg terminal was a little loose so I tightened it, battery light still on. Removed both positive connections hoping it just needed to be "reset" and light would go off, no luck-fricken light still there. Termination on top of alt. is snapped in good. Looking more and more like a tired alt.
just another truck-can you explain to me how the wire will help me of the alt is bad?
just another truck-can you explain to me how the wire will help me of the alt is bad?
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 257
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From: Grafton , WV
Originally Posted by Yukon
Yours has done this for two years and you haven't had a dead battery or anything? Have you had the alternator checked at all?
Yes it has, and I haven't had it checked. I figured it would start showing the normal signs of alt. failure. (batteries dead, slow cranking, etc) but it never has, so I just keep driving. I just figured it was something simple like Brandon said, that's why I havent' replaced it yet I guess.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Yukon,
It probably IS "something simple".
As I noted above, my 2000's alternator brushes were about to simply "wear out". Mileage at the time was around 165,000.
Since yours is also a 2000, what's the mileage?
Pop
It probably IS "something simple".
As I noted above, my 2000's alternator brushes were about to simply "wear out". Mileage at the time was around 165,000.
Since yours is also a 2000, what's the mileage?
Pop
Last edited by SpringerPop; Dec 4, 2007 at 12:02 PM.