Intermittment battery light
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New User
Joined: Mar 2004
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Intermittment battery light
I have a 2003 Expedition XLT with a 5.4 Triton. Over the past couple of months the red battery light will come on sometimes when I start the vehicle. Sometimes it goes out right away, sometimes it will stay on for up to 20 minutes. Then a few weeks will go by with no light. The analog meter on the dash always shows a charge and I have not had any power issues with starting or lights dimming. I called the dealership and they are telling me it has to be a defective alternator and that for a $100.00 fee they can diagnose it then charge me to replace the alternator. This is the same dealership that charged me $300.00 to replace a low beam lamp connector that I had already diagnosed as defective. Any idea if this is a computer issues or a "ghost in the machine". I would rather not put in a new alternator if it in fact is not the issue. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,960
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From: All over Texas
How many volts is the alternator putting out? It should be around 14 +/-. Alternatively, you can remove the alternator and take to most any auto parts store for testing.
I replaced mine with a reman part a year or so ago for around $150.
I replaced mine with a reman part a year or so ago for around $150.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,069
Likes: 1
Check your connections on the alternator. You don't have to take it out to test it as the auto parts store can diagnose in the vehicle and most of them are free. You can test output with a voltmeter at the battery posts when the battery lite is on.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 481
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From: Tualatin, OR
My local tire/battery store tested mine for free and the alternator had takin a dump. I bought a new one and installed it myself. Very easy process. Just draw a map of the serpentine belt so you don't get confused. While it is apart, replace the belt and throw the old one in the back storage compartment where the jack is stowed.
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New User
Joined: Dec 2008
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I have had the same problem and replaced the alternator a second time. It was fine for the first 3 weeks and then did it a third time. It started doing it in the rain a week ago, and then went off. Today it rained again and the light came on again. I notice the lights dimming. I am wondering of any one has had problems with the fuse-able link on the power wire from the alternator to the battery. It has to be that or a belt issue and i have replaced the serpentine belt with the alternator. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Dave
Thanks,
Dave
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Fleet Owner
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Sounds like your belt tensioner isn't keeping enough tension on the belt. This happening while it's raining is a dead giveaway to belt slippage being the cause. Try putting a wrench on the tensioner pulley bolt, pull it over and see if it moves smoothly and has a lot or a little tension to it. It should pull smoothly but with a lot of tension. If you get anything else, replace the tensioner assembly.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2008
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I had a similar problem on a 92 lebaron. The alternator checked out ok at the parts store, but within the same day the alternator completely quit working. The alternator was bad. On my mom's van she had a problem that was similar as well. It is a 97 pontiac Transport. That has a computer that controlls the charging system that had gone bad. Not sure if all brands of vehicles are like that now.