1999 F150 Issues
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1999 F150 Issues
I just wanted to say im new to the site. And im looking forward to some help. I am looking into buying a used 1999 F150. The only thing holding me back is that the lights dim and go back to normal/flicker constantly. when you turn the headlights on and then back off. I mean all the interior lights Instrumental cluster, radio, dome light, etc. What i know of the alternator was replaced and check before install. The battery was replaced. We put a different headlight switch in and didnt help. Im running out of ideas I came here looking for some help. Any suggestions?
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From: Virginia
1. Did the problem happen after the new alternator install? Sometimes you inherit different problems while trying to solve others. And it won't be the first time people have installed "rebuilt" faulty parts.
2. If the problem was there before and after the new alternator install, I would check the grounds. What I would do is bolt a wire onto the alternator case, and run it over to the negative terminal of the battery, and see if the problem goes away. You don't see the flickering lights problem much on the newer trucks, but it happens all the time on the older trucks with the separate regulator, and running a ground wire under one of the reg mounting bolts over to the battery fixes it most every time.
2. If the problem was there before and after the new alternator install, I would check the grounds. What I would do is bolt a wire onto the alternator case, and run it over to the negative terminal of the battery, and see if the problem goes away. You don't see the flickering lights problem much on the newer trucks, but it happens all the time on the older trucks with the separate regulator, and running a ground wire under one of the reg mounting bolts over to the battery fixes it most every time.
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If the alternator is mounted in a aluminum bracket, I would be suspicious it may be corroded and not giving a good connection at the mounting points. A simple test would be to take a jumper cable and clamp it to the alternator case, and clamp the other end to the battery negative post.
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OK. i bought the truck. from driving it around in town. the volt meter shows thats charging is more then half(normal). But not on high. What would cause a over charge. like i said the alternator was test and tested fine by its self but was not test all the way through the charging system at the battery.
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Check the connectors on the alternator. Make sure they are not melted, and the connectors are making good contact. Also go into the fuse box under the hood, and check fuse #11. Pull it out and stick it back in to make sure it's making good contact. Also find the starter relay (passenger side corner of the firewall on a 4.6) and check all the connections on it. I would disconnect the battery +, and take all the wires off the starter relay and check them and then re-install them.
If the alternator checked out good, it has to be a connection problem somewhere.
If the alternator checked out good, it has to be a connection problem somewhere.
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