Battery indicator light
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Battery indicator light
2000 F-250 7.3L PSD.
This morning while driving to work, I noticed that my powersteering was "kicking in and out" (like how it feels when the fluid is low). Anyway, when I looked down I noticed that the battery light on the dash was flickering (going on and off). I pulled into the parking lot at work (fighting the power steering all the way) and turned the truck off, waited a couple of minutes then tried to start it again. It started fine. Have not tried since.
I have searched the forums here on "battery light" and come up with several things to try.
() check battery cables.
() check batteries (just replaced them both 18 months ago.)
() check alternator wire for short.
() Loose drive belt.
() Check main wire harness over valve cover for short.
() Replace alternator.
Have I missed anything?
Does my truck have two alternators and if so, which one should I have checked?
AND, if one is bad, should I replace both of them?
This morning while driving to work, I noticed that my powersteering was "kicking in and out" (like how it feels when the fluid is low). Anyway, when I looked down I noticed that the battery light on the dash was flickering (going on and off). I pulled into the parking lot at work (fighting the power steering all the way) and turned the truck off, waited a couple of minutes then tried to start it again. It started fine. Have not tried since.
I have searched the forums here on "battery light" and come up with several things to try.
() check battery cables.
() check batteries (just replaced them both 18 months ago.)
() check alternator wire for short.
() Loose drive belt.
() Check main wire harness over valve cover for short.
() Replace alternator.
Have I missed anything?
Does my truck have two alternators and if so, which one should I have checked?
AND, if one is bad, should I replace both of them?
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 8,098
Likes: 10
From: Westford, MA
I just had a spiking issue on me 04 Jeep.I'd drive it down the road the gauges would fall and the battery light would flash for a quick second and then everything was fine.
I took both the battery and the alternator to the parts store and they both tested fine,however the batter was 5-6 years old so I replaced that and it's been fine.
If you need an alternator we sell nice brand new units not the rebuilt ones the local parts store sells most of the time.There's no core charge to deal with either.
Here's a link to them on our site.
Ford Truck Alternators
I took both the battery and the alternator to the parts store and they both tested fine,however the batter was 5-6 years old so I replaced that and it's been fine.
If you need an alternator we sell nice brand new units not the rebuilt ones the local parts store sells most of the time.There's no core charge to deal with either.
Here's a link to them on our site.
Ford Truck Alternators
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Thought I would post this update.
I went out at lunch and there was a BIG puddle of radiator fluid under the truck.
Radiator fluid is leaking big time from somewhere under the truck. Since I am in my "work" clothes, I have not had a chance to get under the truck and see exactly where it is coming from, but just doing a quick check it appears that it is coming out of the bottom front of the engine just behind the lower belt pully. Dont know what that means. Maybe freeze plug?
I drove it home (about 5 miles) and that is where it is sitting.
Will check it out when I get home from work this evening.
At any rate, it appears that radiator fluid was/is leaking on the drive belt causing it to slip. And it appears that that belt runs EVERYTHING. When it would slip, the battery light would come on, powersteering would mess up and even the breaks would do strange things.
I went out at lunch and there was a BIG puddle of radiator fluid under the truck.
Radiator fluid is leaking big time from somewhere under the truck. Since I am in my "work" clothes, I have not had a chance to get under the truck and see exactly where it is coming from, but just doing a quick check it appears that it is coming out of the bottom front of the engine just behind the lower belt pully. Dont know what that means. Maybe freeze plug?
I drove it home (about 5 miles) and that is where it is sitting.
Will check it out when I get home from work this evening.
At any rate, it appears that radiator fluid was/is leaking on the drive belt causing it to slip. And it appears that that belt runs EVERYTHING. When it would slip, the battery light would come on, powersteering would mess up and even the breaks would do strange things.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,708
Likes: 5
From: Kiowa CO
That's my thought as well. The fluid then drips onto the belt, belt slips and causes the alternator to not spin causing the battery light and the power steering pump isn't grabbing as well causing your steering issues.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
Not sure where it is coming from, but it is leaking pretty bad. When I finally got it home, it leaked a puddle 6 foot in diameter in about 30 seconds. The flow is like it would be if you opened the drain ****. (Well almost). AND, if you loosen the radiator cap (which I did before I started it to drive it home) then it pours out even faster.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 117
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One last question. Assuming that I can keep enough water in the radiator to get it to the mechanic 8 miles down the road, will it hurt anything if the belt slips while I am drivinging it to the mechanic? I am worried about timing issues, valves, etc.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
Likes: 2
From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
The serpentine belt has nothing to do with timing. That's all under the cover and is a chain.
But it sounds like you don't have any intention of looking into this yourself. You might give it a whirl -- water pumps aren't that tough of a job, if it *is* coming from there.
But it sounds like you don't have any intention of looking into this yourself. You might give it a whirl -- water pumps aren't that tough of a job, if it *is* coming from there.
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 2
From: Concord NC
Sounds like your water pump is about to fly apart. Driving will be at your own risk. If it turns loose, it can and will eat up your belt and could do even more damage. Mine broke(pump) at 70 mph with no warning or leaking and it made a hell of a mess. Still picking out pieces of belt from everywhere under there.
Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
Likes: 2
From: Concord NC
If your pump has enough play in it to affect your powersteering pump and Alt. you are very close to major problems. Like already stated, the pump is not all that hard to do your self. Let us know if you decide to tackle it yourself.