Notices
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  

Intermittent BATT light

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 20, 2010 | 01:24 AM
  #1  
donbrown's Avatar
donbrown
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 132
Likes: 1
Intermittent BATT light

After driving the truck on two trips this month both over an hour the BATT charge light comes on and flickers on and off for about an 15 minutes then goes off.

Distance of both trips 200 miles.

Only happens after driving for an hour or more.

Does not occur on short trips under an hour.

Bumps and stopping does not change it but hard acceleration in overdrive will cause it to go out only to come back a few minutes later after cruising.

When I stop and start the engine light stays on unless I stop for 15 plus minutes.

Of course the light goes out when I took the truck to another mechanic and could not replicate the conditions for the BATT light to come on.

Charging volts (gauge) are slightly to the plus side and don't change with light on or off.

What amps are a stock alternator 130 or 200 ... BUT alternator has less than 30,000 miles?
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2010 | 03:22 AM
  #2  
IDMooseMan's Avatar
IDMooseMan
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 38
From: Nampa, ID
Sometimes the wire connector on top of the alternator can come loose enough without disconnecting to give erratic charging signals. Make sure this connector is fully seated on the alternator.

Not sure what your stock alternator rating is, but I'm finding information on 95-amp, 130-amp, and 215-amp models. Hope this helps some.
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2010 | 10:30 AM
  #3  
donbrown's Avatar
donbrown
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 132
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by IDMooseMan
Sometimes the wire connector on top of the alternator can come loose enough without disconnecting to give erratic charging signals. Make sure this connector is fully seated on the alternator.

Not sure what your stock alternator rating is, but I'm finding information on 95-amp, 130-amp, and 215-amp models. Hope this helps some.

Will it matter if I go with the any size amperage or will it cause a problem?
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2010 | 10:48 AM
  #4  
donbrown's Avatar
donbrown
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 132
Likes: 1
So ... if I replace the alternator go with a generic 200 amp for $150 or get a Ford Penntex PX-5T 200 amp for $350 ?

Just fiquired I can't do that ... won't fit.

So if I go with the lowest amperage ... will I get the better fuel mileage?
 
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2010 | 11:32 AM
  #5  
BIGRED 7.3L's Avatar
BIGRED 7.3L
More Turbo
15 Year Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
I have similar issues. So what is the correct amp alt to go with or is safe to install?
 
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2010 | 01:15 AM
  #6  
donbrown's Avatar
donbrown
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 132
Likes: 1
anybody with knowledge ?
 
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2010 | 08:37 PM
  #7  
donbrown's Avatar
donbrown
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 132
Likes: 1
anybody else have a great comment?
 
Reply
Old Apr 30, 2010 | 01:04 AM
  #8  
donbrown's Avatar
donbrown
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 132
Likes: 1
cleaned the two connectors on the alternator and runs great !
 
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 May 2, 2010 | 10:09 PM
  #9  
IDMooseMan's Avatar
IDMooseMan
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 38
From: Nampa, ID
Sorry, been busy working on my truck. She's better now.

Anyway...the stock alternator for the 7.3l Powerstroke is the 130 amp model.

The 95 amp is for the gas engines and the 215 amp is for the ambulance models.

Changing the alternator usually requires changine brackets, too. Unless you're running a LOT of lights and/or an electric winch, the 130 amp alt should be fine.
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2010 | 12:12 AM
  #10  
donbrown's Avatar
donbrown
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 132
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by IDMooseMan
Sorry, been busy working on my truck. She's better now.

Anyway...the stock alternator for the 7.3l Powerstroke is the 130 amp model.

The 95 amp is for the gas engines and the 215 amp is for the ambulance models.

Changing the alternator usually requires changine brackets, too. Unless you're running a LOT of lights and/or an electric winch, the 130 amp alt should be fine.

Thank you !
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:08 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