I've got an issue I want to make sure I am diagnosing correctly - it's currently -13F outside (real temp, not windchill), so I want to be right the first time!
Issue: '99 F150 with the 4.6l V8 and Heavy Duty Alternator (130 Amp). Dashboard went crazy while driving to work, cycling on an off. The battery idiot light illuminated, and when the guages appeared to work, the voltage was clearly too high.
I limped the truck home (less than a mile). Popped the hood, and the battery clearly vented some acid. After neautralizing the acid and rinsing, checked the battery voltage and it was 10.5 volts, truck not running. A quick jump, and a recheck of voltage at the battery was nearly 20 volts. Needless to say, the truck was shut off!
So, my diagnosis is an overcharging alternator with a failed voltage regulator. Likely fried the battery too. Guessing I need to replace both
Only 1.5 years and 25,000 miles on both - the stock setup got me 150,000 miles...
Am I missing something? Other suggestions? I only want to deal with this once given the weather I get to work in, outside on the driveway!
Issue: '99 F150 with the 4.6l V8 and Heavy Duty Alternator (130 Amp). Dashboard went crazy while driving to work, cycling on an off. The battery idiot light illuminated, and when the guages appeared to work, the voltage was clearly too high.
I limped the truck home (less than a mile). Popped the hood, and the battery clearly vented some acid. After neautralizing the acid and rinsing, checked the battery voltage and it was 10.5 volts, truck not running. A quick jump, and a recheck of voltage at the battery was nearly 20 volts. Needless to say, the truck was shut off!
So, my diagnosis is an overcharging alternator with a failed voltage regulator. Likely fried the battery too. Guessing I need to replace both
Am I missing something? Other suggestions? I only want to deal with this once given the weather I get to work in, outside on the driveway!