Battery light comming on
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Battery light comming on
My battery light has just recently been comming on (intermittently) on my 1997 Ford F150 4X4 with a 4.6 L. The charging gauge has not changed, it still reads more than 1/2 charging. The battery was replaced about 5 months ago, so I'm wondering if this is my alternator going? Any thoughts, and if I were to get the alt. tested what should it read?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: DC
Sounds just like what my alternator did when it died. FYI, if I had it to do over, I would have spent the extra bucks for a new one vice rebuilt. I went thru 2 of them before I got a good one and spent a buch of extra time troubleshooting a problem that didn't exist.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Minnesota
Sounds like the classic bad alternator, has been discussed often. First sign is the cherry red battery light comes on at various times, usually on harder acceleration. Mine did it for over a year before I finally replaced it. It took me (3) from NAPA before I finally got one that didn't sound like a jet engine at idle on the flight deck. They are easy to change, but avoid the frustrations and buy a good brand name altenator from the start. If it really whines under even a light load, (as my first 2 did), don't let them tell you that is normal, cause the originals don't make excessive whine under load. Also make sure to get the correct amperage, post a question if any confusion, many guys here that can help. Good Luck......
Spotty..
Spotty..
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My 1997 did the same thing, however, the belt was squealing at the time. I replaced the belt because it was slipping , but also the belt tensioner was bad. Replaced belt and tensioner and haven't had a problem since. In your case, however I agree with the previous posts.
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PS I still have the original battery in it also. I would get the alternator load tested before buying a new one.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Minnesota
Johnny Boy brings up a good point that we missed, start with the basics and work toward the most complicated. Could very well be a belt problem.
Spotty
Spotty
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Thank-you all. I took your advice, replaced the Alternator and the light is now off. Then, exactlly as you predicted, my replacement alternator sounds like a jet engeine at slow idle. When you rev it up, the sound either quits or is drowned out, but I am concerned that this replacement Alt. may seize and rip out my belt. So I will now try and find a good brand name one which does not make excessive noise.
Thanks again
Thanks again
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 11
From: Minnesota
My 3rd one, which NAPA got me was a Delco, even though it was 75 bucks more, they just traded me even for the 2nd "whiner" they gave me. Three alternators in 1 week, must be some kinda' record.....This one is a keeper though!
Spotty
Spotty