Texas1972

A month or so ago my 1995 w/ a 351 chucked it's idler pulley. The bearing had siezed and ripped it right off. So after a call to the local parts store and a re/re in the peeing rain, it (the pulley and new bearing)was repaired. Or so I had thought. Ever since that crummy day my battery has been dieing and had to purchase a new one. I'm only getting 11.8 or so volts when tested with everything running. I need some help here. Tensioner spring, alternator, slipping belt or anything that you all may have experienced. Please help me help my poor old truck. I can't let this go on through the winter.

erupert66

11.8 means it's not charging. Should be around 14. Strange that it occurred after belt failure though

5Rangers

Coincidence? Related? Who knows? Sounds like its not charging.

Texas1972

I should also mention that the volts go up, only when the r.p.m. goes up. Has anyone had trouble with a tentioner spring not working or putting enough pressure? Belt dressing didn't work. How do I test the alternator?

erupert66

Don't mean to sound insulting, but are you sure you have the belt on properly? If the belt was slipping, it should be squealing like crazy. The only reason for belt dressing is for a glazed belt which you should replace anyway.

techrep

iTrader: (1)

Belt dressing does not work...all it does is gum up you pulleys..it's a temp fix to a belt replacement...if the idler pulley was toast chances are you need a tensioner also and a good quality poly cog belt.. if this does not work have the alt tested...if your sure the belt is not slipping then i would say it's the alt.

Texas1972

Yeah the pulley was the only thing that I replaced, the belt showed no wear and the dressing was just a measure for the chance that it, the belt, maybe slipping. Thanks to all, but it looks like I'm off to the shop to bench test my alternator. Just wondering if anyone had some easy fix. I've got a pretty good grasp of this truck and that's the next step. Cheers! from Vancouver.

Popsheen

Did it end up being the alternator? Just the other night my '95XL decided to knock out when the battery light came on. I replaced the battery, but the light is still on and it seems like the power drops when I run on the AC and lights. The truck starts good enough, but it looks like the battery power is still low.
Sorry, I had a 2000 before and gave it to my son, now this '95 is kind of a mystery.

sylver91

Get the alternator tested.

erupert66

All you need is a simple voltmeter to test. For me '96), the battery neg cable was fatiguing and eventually snapped. It has a ground bracket about halfway which mounts to the frame. I was having low crank issues and until it finally snapped, I wasn't sure what was going on