random problem
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 36
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random problem
hi i have a 2004 f150 screw
randomly, very randomly, when driving the truck the battery light will come on along with the check engine light. at the same time the electronic gauges will go to zero including mpg and trip and odomoter.
Truck drives normal, than a min or so later comes right back on.
what should i look at? ground wire somewhere?
thanks
matt
randomly, very randomly, when driving the truck the battery light will come on along with the check engine light. at the same time the electronic gauges will go to zero including mpg and trip and odomoter.
Truck drives normal, than a min or so later comes right back on.
what should i look at? ground wire somewhere?
thanks
matt
You should look at buying a new Motorcraft re-manufactured Alternator .. sounds like the voltage regulator in yours is going south on you. I mention OEM due to our trucks being very picky on this part. It's hit or miss with aftermarket brands.
nathan3306
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 370
Likes: 57
From: Charleston SC
So I just replaced my alternator but my truck had a much different symptom. drove truck home from work, everything seemed fine, got out of the truck and the lights looked a wee bit dim, but it was daylight out so I didn't pay it much attention. got in the next morning, cranked her up, and noticed the lights were not very bright. It's foggy out so I continue my way to hell... I mean work... and my dash lights seemed pretty dim so I adjusted them higher... they're maxed out. At this point, I think I have myself thinking I may have drank a wee bit too much the night prior. That wasn't the case.
looked down at my Edge programmer and the battery voltage was at 10.2v... Well, that's not right. Anyways long story short, she made it about 5 miles down the street until the battery no longer had anymore juice. First it was the battery light, then "check charging system", ABS went out, dash lights went out, and finally started sputtering until I ultimately shut her down.
Extracted the alternator, tested it three times by autoparts stores, 2 out of three passed. Battery tested good. re-installed alternator and now fully charged battery. Ran it, checked the voltage output, checked battery voltage... everything was good. Maybe it was a fluke or loose connection and by me taking it on and off fixed it. I let it sit in the driveway and let it idle while I sealed up my tail lights. Same thing happened.
Went to the store and bought a new alternator and she is still running good for two months now. Link below is the one I got and I have no complaints other than it being expensive.
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b...ternator&pos=0
I'm not sure if you can or not but I'd look into the crown victory high output alternator. I couldn't get a good confirmation on that but it maybe something worth looking into. Also, my window sticker said I had a 130amp alternator... virtually impossible to find so I went with the 110amp and all is fine.
I'd check your grounds and also check the positive cable coming off the battery. There should be a black box attached inline with that cable. Apparently there is a fuse/link/thing in there that could lose connection/blow.
looked down at my Edge programmer and the battery voltage was at 10.2v... Well, that's not right. Anyways long story short, she made it about 5 miles down the street until the battery no longer had anymore juice. First it was the battery light, then "check charging system", ABS went out, dash lights went out, and finally started sputtering until I ultimately shut her down.
Extracted the alternator, tested it three times by autoparts stores, 2 out of three passed. Battery tested good. re-installed alternator and now fully charged battery. Ran it, checked the voltage output, checked battery voltage... everything was good. Maybe it was a fluke or loose connection and by me taking it on and off fixed it. I let it sit in the driveway and let it idle while I sealed up my tail lights. Same thing happened.
Went to the store and bought a new alternator and she is still running good for two months now. Link below is the one I got and I have no complaints other than it being expensive.
https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/b...ternator&pos=0
I'm not sure if you can or not but I'd look into the crown victory high output alternator. I couldn't get a good confirmation on that but it maybe something worth looking into. Also, my window sticker said I had a 130amp alternator... virtually impossible to find so I went with the 110amp and all is fine.
I'd check your grounds and also check the positive cable coming off the battery. There should be a black box attached inline with that cable. Apparently there is a fuse/link/thing in there that could lose connection/blow.