Hey all, little issue with the 2004 F150 with the 4.6L. Was on my way home from the store and I noticed the battery light on. It would go away when accelerating fairly hard or revving the motor, but as soon as RPM's began to drop it would come back on. On my meter the battery reads 12.4-12.5v with the truck off, only around 12.3-12.5v with the truck running. Its still starting fine and everything, only thing that may make a small change is the 250 watt amp I have hooked up for subwoofers. Any idea's? Thanks!
2004 F150 possible charging problem
- Thread starter renegade_987
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Check the battery cables, connections, grounds, the battery itself and finally take the alternator off and bring it to a parts store where they have a tester in that order.
If the alternator is going bad, is it possible that I still have at least a few days before its completely gone? I won't be off to replace it until Tuesday
Originally Posted By: Rand
Time for an alternator.
+1 With a charging value (or rather not charging) same as engine off, be my best guess too.
Checking other parts Trav noted before removing alternator though makes sense.
Time for an alternator.
+1 With a charging value (or rather not charging) same as engine off, be my best guess too.
Checking other parts Trav noted before removing alternator though makes sense.
If you can, do a ripple test on the alternator with a scan tool. All else fails, put on a new alternator.
I highly suspect alternator brushes. Generally speaking, those are cheap and easy to replace. Only catch is that you need to source them NOW! Most auto parts stores don't carry them. You might be able to get them the next day if you find a place that carries them and order them today. I think either AZ or AA carries them, but try NAPA first.
What trav said is exactly right. I actually had to replace the alternator in our parts truck at work. It left my boss at a part store parking lot so i had to go an replace it. Took me 30 mins. Theyre easy. Truck has 217,000 miles and just now needed an alternator. Its been a very good truck.
Originally Posted By: renegade_987
If the alternator is going bad, is it possible that I still have at least a few days before its completely gone? I won't be off to replace it until Tuesday
Not usually. If it's going south you will be draining your battery anytime you aren't revving it and eventually the battery will die and the truck will shut off.
Using it during the day with no headlights or any accessories it might work for a few days, but who knows...
If you can't buy a new one try Craigslist for a used one or a junkyard part.
If the alternator is going bad, is it possible that I still have at least a few days before its completely gone? I won't be off to replace it until Tuesday
Not usually. If it's going south you will be draining your battery anytime you aren't revving it and eventually the battery will die and the truck will shut off.
Using it during the day with no headlights or any accessories it might work for a few days, but who knows...
If you can't buy a new one try Craigslist for a used one or a junkyard part.
Originally Posted By: TFB1
Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Fords are famous for alternator wiring harnesses burning up.Check all wires that lead from the alternator.
Old news, those problems were fixed 20 years ago(actually longer)...
My 1985 Escort did that! Interesting thing was that it was on a short drive and when I parked the car I went to work, then forgot about it (since the battery light was out). Several month later, I saw the burnt wire and fixed it properly. What happened was during the drive the insulation in the main alternator wire melted, but I shut the car off before it became a problem. When I was at work that day the plastic that was the wiring insulation re-hardened and re-insulated the wire.
Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Fords are famous for alternator wiring harnesses burning up.Check all wires that lead from the alternator.
Old news, those problems were fixed 20 years ago(actually longer)...
My 1985 Escort did that! Interesting thing was that it was on a short drive and when I parked the car I went to work, then forgot about it (since the battery light was out). Several month later, I saw the burnt wire and fixed it properly. What happened was during the drive the insulation in the main alternator wire melted, but I shut the car off before it became a problem. When I was at work that day the plastic that was the wiring insulation re-hardened and re-insulated the wire.
How many miles are on this alternator?
I still think you just need brushes. The symptoms are exactly the same on my 1995 Escort when the brushes went. Yes, I have a voltmeter installed in the car.
I still think you just need brushes. The symptoms are exactly the same on my 1995 Escort when the brushes went. Yes, I have a voltmeter installed in the car.
Yes If it's not super high mileage take it to a local alternator/starter rebuilder if you can find one otherwise these days you get stuck in a parts store warranty storm replacing failing rebuilt parts every year.
I chose to get a Remy unit from advance auto labeled under the tough one "new" option, that way I have a lifetime warranty and was able to use the good coupon code but it's all new unit not rebuilt junk.
BTW mine started to die the same way, it would only drop voltage at low rpm. I drove it across town with no accessories in second gear at like 3k rpm. Pulled the battery to charge it at home and it was pretty low. I charged it up and drove to the parts store the next morning the same way.
Without the battery charger I wouldn't have made it.
I chose to get a Remy unit from advance auto labeled under the tough one "new" option, that way I have a lifetime warranty and was able to use the good coupon code but it's all new unit not rebuilt junk.
BTW mine started to die the same way, it would only drop voltage at low rpm. I drove it across town with no accessories in second gear at like 3k rpm. Pulled the battery to charge it at home and it was pretty low. I charged it up and drove to the parts store the next morning the same way.
Without the battery charger I wouldn't have made it.
Alternators are easy to repair:
http://www.aleromod.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32281
http://www.aleromod.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32281
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