"CHARGE" Light Help Needed
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 334
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From: Milltown, NJ
"CHARGE" Light Help Needed
Short Version: Charge Light flashes while running. Started this morning, STOPS running when any major elecrical draw(lights, horn, wipers) activated.
Long version:
Never had problem in the three years I've owned the truck. Alternator/External Voltage Regulator both look pretty old. Wiring looks OK. Alternator is putting out 15 volts. I changed the starter relay a week ago and up 'till today NO PROBLEM. Truck runs fine otherwise.
I refered to my Chilton manual and it states the light will activate(steady on) if there is no voltage and will also activate if there is an "over voltage" problem. Light will activate when ignition switch is in RUN position(engine OFF) as normal then go off when engine is started. It will remain off for approximately 15 seconds then it will start to flash, under the conditions stated in the post.
As I am no expert
, I believe there is an OVER voltage problem which causes the light to activate THEN, when an additional draw is added, the voltage decreases and light goes out.
As soon as the extra draw is shut off, the light goes back to flash.
I removed the voltage indicator lead from the alternator and the light stays ON steady, when I replaced the lead it NO flash for 15 sec then it flashed again.
I am thinking voltage regulator OR alternator. What think you?
Long version:
Never had problem in the three years I've owned the truck. Alternator/External Voltage Regulator both look pretty old. Wiring looks OK. Alternator is putting out 15 volts. I changed the starter relay a week ago and up 'till today NO PROBLEM. Truck runs fine otherwise.I refered to my Chilton manual and it states the light will activate(steady on) if there is no voltage and will also activate if there is an "over voltage" problem. Light will activate when ignition switch is in RUN position(engine OFF) as normal then go off when engine is started. It will remain off for approximately 15 seconds then it will start to flash, under the conditions stated in the post.
As I am no expert
, I believe there is an OVER voltage problem which causes the light to activate THEN, when an additional draw is added, the voltage decreases and light goes out.As soon as the extra draw is shut off, the light goes back to flash.
I removed the voltage indicator lead from the alternator and the light stays ON steady, when I replaced the lead it NO flash for 15 sec then it flashed again.
I am thinking voltage regulator OR alternator. What think you?
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Joined: Apr 2008
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15 volts is high
did you try your meter on AC or DC?
on DC it measures peak on AC it measures RMS voltage, peak x .707 as AC creates a sign wave as does the alternator until it goes through the diodes.
simply put if you read 10.6 or so on AC on your meter than you have a diode shorted. an open diode diode would give you O or low voltage. either way it would be the regulator.
did you try your meter on AC or DC?
on DC it measures peak on AC it measures RMS voltage, peak x .707 as AC creates a sign wave as does the alternator until it goes through the diodes.
simply put if you read 10.6 or so on AC on your meter than you have a diode shorted. an open diode diode would give you O or low voltage. either way it would be the regulator.
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 410
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good stuff, i got into the priciples of how a diode operates there but then i figured F-it, they're cheap, and thats what it sounded like. did you try putting the meter on ac?
thats a big 10-4 on the National Organization of Men Against Amazonian Masterhood!!!!!!
thats a big 10-4 on the National Organization of Men Against Amazonian Masterhood!!!!!!
