89fordowner

I just bought a 89 f150 xlt with the 5.0 302 I just replaced the battery and alternator but the battery won't charge. And my battery gauge is not working. Any suggestions on what the prob might be?

Chris_1

iTrader: (1)

fusible link ? bad connection ?

bscottie

if you bought used or rebuilt alt. it should be checked, unfortunately you can get a bad part,


have you verified its not charging with a meter? maybe you hae another issue with something staying on/engaged that is causing a drain.




check voltage at the battery with engine running, then test with lights on and then with a/c fan on high, voltage should be 14 - 14.5 when charging, adding he load should cause much more than 1 volt, if the alt. isn't proving that voltage output I would test it and also check for shorts, bad grounds, and fuselink, circuit breakers

88xlt

That vintage of Ford trucks had a bad connector on the alternator. The auto parts stores sell a pigtail connector that plugs into the alternator. Just cut the old connector off that plugs into the alternator and solder(preferred) the new connector onto the wires. If this hasn't been done, that's the first thing I would do.

fltdriver

x2, also wouldn't hurt to clean up any grounds/connections related to power supply (battery body ground, alt>sol connector, engine block ground, etc...) and replace the battery terminals. You could clean them but 20+ year old terminals are better off being replaced, especially when you can get a 2 pack online for $10. Dielectric grease does wonders for preventing corrosion!