Battery Light Flicker?

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Dec 31, 2008 | 10:21 AM

#16

megawatt00

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From: Rochdale MA

Adam you can pick up a decent multi meter from Home Depot or Lowes. Try and pick one up that has a current clamp and is capable of reading DC amps. This is invaluable for trouble shooting on DC circuits (glow plug issues, battery drain, etc)

Dec 31, 2008 | 12:15 PM

#17

clintbonnie

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Joined: Jun 2003

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From: Ardenvoir, Washington

Adam.. I really like the digital voltage I got.. I just leave it plugged into my cigarette lighter all the time.. I can keep a eye on the Glow plugs operating (it will show a voltage drop to 11.5V) and the alternator charging voltage while I am driving... check out:
Digital Voltmeter, Plugs into 12 volt Cigarette Lighter Socket

Jan 2, 2009 | 07:46 AM

#18

Adam0331

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From: Jonestown, PA

Got my hands on a voltmeter and checked at the batteries and it reads 14.2. It hasn't flickered in a few days now so I'm not sure?

Jan 2, 2009 | 09:09 AM

#19

tdpower

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam0331

Got my hands on a voltmeter and checked at the batteries and it reads 14.2. It hasn't flickered in a few days now so I'm not sure?

IIRC they should read 14.4 or higher at idle. It sounds like yours is starting to go south. How many miles do you have on your truck? Mine went out around 160k and I got that same flicker.

Jan 2, 2009 | 09:17 AM

#20

just another truck

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Joined: Feb 2007

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From: Sterling Heights,Mi

Quote:

Originally Posted by megawatt00

Get it checked out right away Adam, A bad alt can take out your batteries with it.

May not even be right away.. could be a month down the line.. how would I know that.. and I took care of mine right away..

Trying a real slow trickle charge.. Wish I had more batteries to put in line.. oh well. My fingers are crossed.

Jan 2, 2009 | 09:19 AM

#21

just another truck

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From: Sterling Heights,Mi

Adam.. I was once told by a shop that he plugs on the back of alternators can come a little loose and give a ghost like flicker with no good reason.. check there.

Jan 2, 2009 | 09:50 AM

#22

Adam0331

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From: Jonestown, PA

Truck has 104,000. I checked the plugs on the back and they are good and tight.

Jan 2, 2009 | 10:09 AM

#23

tdpower

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I would check out your belt and pulleys if you have not already.

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Jan 2, 2009 | 11:42 AM

#24

clintbonnie

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Joined: Jun 2003

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From: Ardenvoir, Washington

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdpower

IIRC they should read 14.4 or higher at idle. It sounds like yours is starting to go south. How many miles do you have on your truck? Mine went out around 160k and I got that same flicker.

I think he is ok... 14.2 is in range... The voltage readings will change depending on several factors, such as air temp, condition of the batteries and charge. Mine varies from 13.8 to 14.4 all the time.