electrical
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: quesnel B.C.
electrical
hello there I've got a 1993 f-150 with a 4.9l and 5sp 4x4 xl.
my question is how can I check that my truck is not overcharging the battery, i've noticed the ammeter on the dash shows that it is off the normal part and close to the 18 volts side. I am able to turn on the heater motor to high and it wil make the gauge sweep back down for a second then back up to its super high position again.
when the truck is cold it cranks over just fine and the same when it is warm. i've replaced the alternator a couple of winters ago with a 140 amp one I think. The battery seems good still. maybe this is normal but I am pretty sure it has never ran up that high before.
any help or insight would be good
thanks
my question is how can I check that my truck is not overcharging the battery, i've noticed the ammeter on the dash shows that it is off the normal part and close to the 18 volts side. I am able to turn on the heater motor to high and it wil make the gauge sweep back down for a second then back up to its super high position again.
when the truck is cold it cranks over just fine and the same when it is warm. i've replaced the alternator a couple of winters ago with a 140 amp one I think. The battery seems good still. maybe this is normal but I am pretty sure it has never ran up that high before.
any help or insight would be good
thanks
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: quesnel B.C.
thanks for the reply i don't have a multimeter with me but hopefully i can track one down by the weekend.
other than that when it is overcharging is that an alternator issue?
if so I guess it is something that is burnt out internally on the altern ator
thanks
other than that when it is overcharging is that an alternator issue?
if so I guess it is something that is burnt out internally on the altern ator
thanks
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
Overcharging is usually a regulator issue, but with a 93 your alternator is probably internally regulated, in which case the alternator gets replaced as a whole. The older trucks had a separate regulator which was usually on the passenger side fender apron. You won't have that.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,915
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From: Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan
So I've come to realize....
To answer the OP's question, though - the alternator usually puts out between 13.8 and 15 volts, IIRC. It will never be dead on at 12 to 13.8 volts in the 'normal' section of your ammeter on the dash, unless you battery or alternator (or both) are about to go out.
To answer the OP's question, though - the alternator usually puts out between 13.8 and 15 volts, IIRC. It will never be dead on at 12 to 13.8 volts in the 'normal' section of your ammeter on the dash, unless you battery or alternator (or both) are about to go out.
