Notices
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L) Diesel Topics Only

Is a current draw common??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 18, 2009 | 11:26 AM
  #1  
Ibuildembig's Avatar
Ibuildembig
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Fruitland MO
Is a current draw common??

Have an 86 F350 4x4 with a transplanted 7.3 out of a 92. Just curious what could be drawing on the truck as it sparks pretty good when I hook the battery cables up. It has no stereo and is completely stock other than the motor swap. Thanks
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2009 | 11:32 AM
  #2  
axe_handle's Avatar
axe_handle
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: Snohomish, WA
My truck does not do this.
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2009 | 12:22 PM
  #3  
Ibuildembig's Avatar
Ibuildembig
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Fruitland MO
I unplugged the engine harness and tried it again and it still does it....so its nothing to do with the engine swap wiring. Wonder what in the heck could be drawing enough to spark
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2009 | 12:51 PM
  #4  
tbone91's Avatar
tbone91
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 597
Likes: 0
Check for any lights being on that shouldn't be -- dome, glove box, brake, parking, etc.

Hmm ... maybe a leaky diode in the alternator? Try temporarily unhooking the alternator and see if it helps.

Does the truck have a brake controller?
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2009 | 12:56 PM
  #5  
Ibuildembig's Avatar
Ibuildembig
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Fruitland MO
Ok I took the feed wire that goes to the solenoid off the alternator and the spark went away. What does this mean for my alt?
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2009 | 03:04 PM
  #6  
Hamberger's Avatar
Hamberger
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 3
From: Ladner, British Columbia
Time to replace the Altinator

Originally Posted by Ibuildembig
Ok I took the feed wire that goes to the solenoid off the alternator and the spark went away. What does this mean for my alt?
Sound like it is time to replace your altinator. Note, always good practice to change your regulator (mounted around the drivers side fender I believe) as well.

Sometime installing a new altinator can finish off an old regulator. Best to do it all at once. Not worth taking a chance on your new diodes in your new altinator in my mind.

Seb...
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2009 | 03:14 PM
  #7  
Ibuildembig's Avatar
Ibuildembig
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Fruitland MO
I think a 1 wire powermaster will fix it then....and delete all the factory regulator crap
 
Reply
Old Nov 18, 2009 | 10:57 PM
  #8  
Dave Sponaugle's Avatar
Dave Sponaugle
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 21,285
Likes: 16
From: Nutter Fort, WV
Club FTE Silver Member

Some of the one wire setups need to see rather high RPM's before they start charging.

That is about the only drawback though.

I have a friend that installed a Power Master one wire on his gasser, and he complained it did not charge.
So I went on the Power Master site and found that they must see 2500 to 3000 RPM before they start charging.
You would have to take the pulley diameter difference into consideration to calculate that alternator RPM into engine RPM though.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Nov 19, 2009 | 03:01 AM
  #9  
LCAM-01XA's Avatar
LCAM-01XA
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4,802
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by Ibuildembig
I think a 1 wire powermaster will fix it then....and delete all the factory regulator crap
Or you nca simply drop in a factory Ford 3G alternator and enjoy 130 amps of goodness on the cheap
 
Reply
Old Nov 19, 2009 | 09:34 AM
  #10  
Ibuildembig's Avatar
Ibuildembig
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Fruitland MO
I have 3 powermasters on other projects with no complaints....in fact the one on my crawler does 157A at idle. I have messed with 12 volt electronics all my life, I had just never heard of the diode issue...guess cause I usually replace the alternator the very first thing lol. I am not a 3G guy honestly, we tried one on 2 different crawlers and they wouldn't keep up with the injection much less the winch, lights, stereo etc. I know some people have great luck with them, I just don't take chances anymore Thanks for all the help diagnosing my issue!
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Scot
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
3
Jan 30, 2015 10:54 AM
Sberry27
Electrical Systems/Wiring
5
Oct 16, 2014 07:32 AM
4tl8ford
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Dec 6, 2007 07:27 PM
badblueoval4life
Offroad & 4x4
7
Jul 12, 2007 08:35 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:54 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE