electrical problem?
01-14-2015, 01:37 PM
#1
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electrical problem?
Hi, first time post:
I did a search and a few of you have had one of the problems I am having but no one's seemed quite the same. A few weeks ago my electrical systems started acting up, first the MPG's and trip odometer reset itself, then a few days later (didn't drive the truck over the weekend) the battery was dead. The battery is only about a year and half old so I put a real quick surface charge on it and it fired right up. The next day the battery was dead again. Put a charge on it again it fired right up, all gauges show its charging correctly but I suspect a diode in the alternator, check it out and that wasn't it. Cleaned both terminals really well and that seemed to do it, no loss overnight now. BUT now my radio cluster lights inadvertently go on and off! I'm not losing and charge overnight so I think a bad connection on the negative fixed the drain, but what's with the radio lights? Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't and will randomly come on as I am driving down the highway. And sometimes even the clock light is super dim. Any help would be appreciated!
2004 Lariat 5.4
I did a search and a few of you have had one of the problems I am having but no one's seemed quite the same. A few weeks ago my electrical systems started acting up, first the MPG's and trip odometer reset itself, then a few days later (didn't drive the truck over the weekend) the battery was dead. The battery is only about a year and half old so I put a real quick surface charge on it and it fired right up. The next day the battery was dead again. Put a charge on it again it fired right up, all gauges show its charging correctly but I suspect a diode in the alternator, check it out and that wasn't it. Cleaned both terminals really well and that seemed to do it, no loss overnight now. BUT now my radio cluster lights inadvertently go on and off! I'm not losing and charge overnight so I think a bad connection on the negative fixed the drain, but what's with the radio lights? Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't and will randomly come on as I am driving down the highway. And sometimes even the clock light is super dim. Any help would be appreciated!
2004 Lariat 5.4
01-14-2015, 02:04 PM
#2
Moderator (Ret.)
Original alternator?
Have it bench checked. I suspect it is not putting out enough to keep the new battery charged.
That, or the new (year old battery) is no good.
Have it bench checked. I suspect it is not putting out enough to keep the new battery charged.
That, or the new (year old battery) is no good.
01-15-2015, 07:44 AM
#3
Mark
iTrader: (1)
Hi, first time post:
I did a search and a few of you have had one of the problems I am having but no one's seemed quite the same. A few weeks ago my electrical systems started acting up, first the MPG's and trip odometer reset itself, then a few days later (didn't drive the truck over the weekend) the battery was dead. The battery is only about a year and half old so I put a real quick surface charge on it and it fired right up. The next day the battery was dead again. Put a charge on it again it fired right up, all gauges show its charging correctly but I suspect a diode in the alternator, check it out and that wasn't it. Cleaned both terminals really well and that seemed to do it, no loss overnight now. BUT now my radio cluster lights inadvertently go on and off! I'm not losing and charge overnight so I think a bad connection on the negative fixed the drain, but what's with the radio lights? Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't and will randomly come on as I am driving down the highway. And sometimes even the clock light is super dim. Any help would be appreciated!
2004 Lariat 5.4
I did a search and a few of you have had one of the problems I am having but no one's seemed quite the same. A few weeks ago my electrical systems started acting up, first the MPG's and trip odometer reset itself, then a few days later (didn't drive the truck over the weekend) the battery was dead. The battery is only about a year and half old so I put a real quick surface charge on it and it fired right up. The next day the battery was dead again. Put a charge on it again it fired right up, all gauges show its charging correctly but I suspect a diode in the alternator, check it out and that wasn't it. Cleaned both terminals really well and that seemed to do it, no loss overnight now. BUT now my radio cluster lights inadvertently go on and off! I'm not losing and charge overnight so I think a bad connection on the negative fixed the drain, but what's with the radio lights? Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't and will randomly come on as I am driving down the highway. And sometimes even the clock light is super dim. Any help would be appreciated!
2004 Lariat 5.4
