Not Charging
#1
02-09-2016, 09:27 PM
Not Charging
Hey what's up i got a 03 F250 5.4 truck has been running fine up until last night when i was plowing. I thought the alternator died. So i changed it do to the fact that i lost the radio,lights,gauges,etc...Figured not charging. Put new alternator in and charged the battery and battery went died after about 40 minutes of lights on plow usage,radio,heat etc.. Alternator not charging battery any suggestions. Haven't done any test yet. Oh and cluster not working now either just the lights on the cluster work.
#2
02-10-2016, 08:08 AM
Maybe a defective alternator or the wrong output for the truck? Maybe an issue with the GEM? Have you checked for any codes?
#4
02-10-2016, 12:22 PM
Hi 1ton,
Hope we can offer some useful suggestions.
On the driver's side fender well, in the engine compartment, is a junction block where the heavy gauge wire from the alt joins to another heavy gauge wire that goes to the battery positive post. You may need to remove the plastic cover to see the junction.
That connection if ignored can prevent the alt charging current from going to the battery if rusted / corroded. Might be a good idea to check it and make sure it is clean and making a good connection. High resistance there can produce a low/no charge condition. If you have a simple voltmeter available , connect it to the battery terminals and let us know what reading you are getting , engine off and engine running. I do not remember if your vehicle has a voltmeter with the other dash gauges, you might be able to use that one.
Hope we can offer some useful suggestions.
On the driver's side fender well, in the engine compartment, is a junction block where the heavy gauge wire from the alt joins to another heavy gauge wire that goes to the battery positive post. You may need to remove the plastic cover to see the junction.
That connection if ignored can prevent the alt charging current from going to the battery if rusted / corroded. Might be a good idea to check it and make sure it is clean and making a good connection. High resistance there can produce a low/no charge condition. If you have a simple voltmeter available , connect it to the battery terminals and let us know what reading you are getting , engine off and engine running. I do not remember if your vehicle has a voltmeter with the other dash gauges, you might be able to use that one.
#5
02-10-2016, 01:42 PM
Hi 1ton,
Hope we can offer some useful suggestions.
On the driver's side fender well, in the engine compartment, is a junction block where the heavy gauge wire from the alt joins to another heavy gauge wire that goes to the battery positive post. You may need to remove the plastic cover to see the junction.
That connection if ignored can prevent the alt charging current from going to the battery if rusted / corroded. Might be a good idea to check it and make sure it is clean and making a good connection. High resistance there can produce a low/no charge condition. If you have a simple voltmeter available , connect it to the battery terminals and let us know what reading you are getting , engine off and engine running. I do not remember if your vehicle has a voltmeter with the other dash gauges, you might be able to use that one.
Hope we can offer some useful suggestions.
On the driver's side fender well, in the engine compartment, is a junction block where the heavy gauge wire from the alt joins to another heavy gauge wire that goes to the battery positive post. You may need to remove the plastic cover to see the junction.
That connection if ignored can prevent the alt charging current from going to the battery if rusted / corroded. Might be a good idea to check it and make sure it is clean and making a good connection. High resistance there can produce a low/no charge condition. If you have a simple voltmeter available , connect it to the battery terminals and let us know what reading you are getting , engine off and engine running. I do not remember if your vehicle has a voltmeter with the other dash gauges, you might be able to use that one.
#7
02-10-2016, 01:56 PM
No truck doesn't have dash guage. Plus all the guages went out before the truck died.
#8
02-10-2016, 05:52 PM
Did you have a chance to check that cable connection from the alt to the battery?
The alt output is controlled by the vehicle computer(PCM). Make sure the contacts that plug into the alt are tight internally. I wouldn't think there could be a problem with the the junction box under the left side of the dash , but at this point we need to check everything we can. If there was any water leaking from the windshield onto the GEM,SJB (generic electronic module-smart junction box) unbelievable things happen.
Last but not least, aftermarket alternators for Ford vehicles do not have a good reputation. OEM work best.
The alt output is controlled by the vehicle computer(PCM). Make sure the contacts that plug into the alt are tight internally. I wouldn't think there could be a problem with the the junction box under the left side of the dash , but at this point we need to check everything we can. If there was any water leaking from the windshield onto the GEM,SJB (generic electronic module-smart junction box) unbelievable things happen.
Last but not least, aftermarket alternators for Ford vehicles do not have a good reputation. OEM work best.
#9
02-10-2016, 07:58 PM
Did you have a chance to check that cable connection from the alt to the battery?
The alt output is controlled by the vehicle computer(PCM). Make sure the contacts that plug into the alt are tight internally. I wouldn't think there could be a problem with the the junction box under the left side of the dash , but at this point we need to check everything we can. If there was any water leaking from the windshield onto the GEM,SJB (generic electronic module-smart junction box) unbelievable things happen.
Last but not least, aftermarket alternators for Ford vehicles do not have a good reputation. OEM work best.
The alt output is controlled by the vehicle computer(PCM). Make sure the contacts that plug into the alt are tight internally. I wouldn't think there could be a problem with the the junction box under the left side of the dash , but at this point we need to check everything we can. If there was any water leaking from the windshield onto the GEM,SJB (generic electronic module-smart junction box) unbelievable things happen.
Last but not least, aftermarket alternators for Ford vehicles do not have a good reputation. OEM work best.
#10
02-10-2016, 08:05 PM
Did you have a chance to check that cable connection from the alt to the battery?
The alt output is controlled by the vehicle computer(PCM). Make sure the contacts that plug into the alt are tight internally. I wouldn't think there could be a problem with the the junction box under the left side of the dash , but at this point we need to check everything we can. If there was any water leaking from the windshield onto the GEM,SJB (generic electronic module-smart junction box) unbelievable things happen.
Last but not least, aftermarket alternators for Ford vehicles do not have a good reputation. OEM work best.
The alt output is controlled by the vehicle computer(PCM). Make sure the contacts that plug into the alt are tight internally. I wouldn't think there could be a problem with the the junction box under the left side of the dash , but at this point we need to check everything we can. If there was any water leaking from the windshield onto the GEM,SJB (generic electronic module-smart junction box) unbelievable things happen.
Last but not least, aftermarket alternators for Ford vehicles do not have a good reputation. OEM work best.