99 W/5.4, 71,000 MILES RED CHARGE INDICATOR ( LOOKS LIKE A BATTERY ) HAS CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES THE LAST TWO DAYS. ONLY STAYS ON A FEW SECONDS. PANEL GAUGE STILL SHOWS TO BE CHARGING. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS PROBLEM. ALTERNATOR, BATTERY. IS VOLTAGE REGULATOR PART OF ALTERNATOR ON OUR TRUCKS. WILL A CODE BE STORED IN COMPUTER ? STILL COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. MY 03 POWER STROKE ALTERNATOR WENT OUT LAST MONTH, HAD TO BE TOWED IN TO FORD DEALER COST $500.00. DID NOT PURCHASE EXTENDED WTY. ON THAT TRUCK.

 

I think the voltage regulator is attached to the alternator on our trucks.

It could be a loose ALT fuse or ALT field fuse. It could also be in the wire connections. Check that all wire connections are clean and tight.

It could also be a defective voltage regulator or alternator.

Engineering rule of thumb is that 95% of electrical problems are related to connections. (at least when I worked with computers).

 

I agree. Nearly every problem related to the battery, alternator or starter can be traced to a bad connection.

In this case, I'd begin by checking the battery and alternator cables for proper grounding. If everything looks alright, you'll want to pull the cables off and take a good look at them. They tend to corrode from the inside out so it's not always obvious.