Well it started fine a couple times all ready today, then all of the sudden no start. battery down just enough to not turn motor over......

after cleaning posts, Jumped it and it started right back up. Put a meter on it and it's barely above 12 volts so it's not charging.

It's too close to Christmas to spend $200 on an alternator, has anyone gotten away with just a new voltage regulator?

Advance has 20% off ending today so I can get the regulator for about $45.00 today.

What are the chances I can get away with this for a while at least?

2004 Crew. 5.4 ltr. 160K.

Thanks for the quick replies

 

Ive never had reason to look but i assume they are brushless set ups?

 

It all depends on WHAT exactly in your alternator is bad. If it's the brushes, or the field windings, replacing the regulator would be a waste of time and money.

 

Oh I'm with ya......I'd rather replace the whole thing, it's just gonna really hurt the budget this month.

Once it starts it continues to run and seems like I could drive it forever, so It made sense to me that the regulator went bad. So why not just replace that.

Can I test it with a meter some how?

 

Yeah if you can swing it this month the sooner the better. I had this same thing happen to one of my cars a few years back and it killed the battery as well since it drained it all the way down, tried to start it and no luck. Good luck!

 

Once you jump it, it runs fine? Then the alternator works fine. My guess is the battery is junk and below 10 volts. Battery could be lying to the alternator. If the alternator is bad, after you take the jumper box off the truck will die. What kind of amperage does it put out at idle?

 

If it's barely above 12 volts while running, as the original post says, the alternator is NOT charging.

You can go to a parts store and they can load test the battery and test the alternator on the truck.

 

so It made sense to me that the regulator went bad.

 

battery is shot

 

Nope, Alternator was shot afterall........Popped a new one on and all is well.

Thanks for the replies fellas.........