Battery light flashed on and off tonight

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Feb 19, 2009 | 09:06 PM

gofast51004

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From: Zeeland, MI

Battery light flashed on and off tonight

Hey guys,

Like the tittle states, the battery light flashed on and off tonight for the first time ever.... did a quick search and I found either the harness is chaffed where it hooks to the alternator, or an alternator is on it's way out the door.

Is there any way to test which of the two alternators is dieing?
Any other idea's.....

Also, fyi, batteries are two months old, ford 850's. No loss of power or hard starting etc.....

thanks

Feb 19, 2009 | 09:28 PM

Ziggy.

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Joined: Feb 2009

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From: Blaine, TN

You can disconnect one alternator, then run the engine and check the output voltage of the other alternator. should be around 14.5V or so. and then do the same thing with the other alternator. Keep in mind the is only a test for voltage output. the only way to really test an alternator is a load test.

Feb 20, 2009 | 06:19 AM

gofast51004

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From: Zeeland, MI

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziggy.

Kool, thanks....I took today off to hang drywall...but it looks like its going to be a truck fixing day.....especially with 6" of snow coming for tomarrow

Feb 21, 2009 | 03:51 AM

gofast51004

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Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 163

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From: Zeeland, MI

Thanks for the help guys....I pulled off both alternators, had then tested and each put out about 10 volts.....also the lower alt had a cracked housing, and both had really loud grinding bearings. I purchased two rebuilt units and installed them. Took a test drive and the battery light went away.

thanks agian