I have a 1997 F250 LD 2WD. I jumped my wifes car the other morning and after that, the battery light on the dash is on and does not go off. I drove it a little today and the light stays on. The gauge on the dash stays steady in the middle. Coulds not see any difference driving the truck at all. I did however notice the wipers are slower than usual. Anyone have any suggestions on where to start to fix this issue? Thanks for any replies to my thread in advance.

 

could have blown a fues link

 

You need to see if the battery is taking 14+ volts with engine idling or if it is in the 13 or lower area, that will be a dead giveaway that something in the alt. is fried.

 

before my alternator went the battery light came on. my story is different because my light came on and within a minute or two my truck was dead.

 

It is likely the alternator. I have the same truck that you have and when my battery light came on It was because the alternator was going bad. The reason the gauge is still in the middle is because it is simply an idiot gauge. I have found the the Idiot lights always come on before the gauges drop.

 

Battery light always means the alternator is going bad. Cheapest place to start it to not jump a car with your truck. Than you could take off the alternator and have it checked. Next time, just connect the two batteries with yours running and let your truck charge her battery. Easier and a heck of a lot safer than risking your alternator.

 

careful there fella, light does not always mean fried alt....and for goodness sake dont hook up the jump cables with your engine running, hook up first then start yours and let the flat battery charge for a while