A month ago my gauges went dead while driving my '98 F150 4x4 with a 4.6 V8. Shortly after the gauges died the radio starting beeping and then the car died. Truck would not start afterward. I bought a new battery and it started right up and allowed me to drive for a couple days.

After about two days, the same thing happened again. I took it to a shop and they replaced the alternator. Last Friday (7/23) the gauges again went dead and the truck would not start or run. I had it towed to the same shop and on Monday (7/26) I picked it up again after the shop replaced the alternator again. Drove it for about 60 miles on Tuesday (7/27) and again it died. The altinator is not charging the battery. They replaced the alternator again yesterday. And again today the damn thing left me stranded.

Gauges flat line....
Radio beeps....
Truck get sluggish and then dies. Never to be started again until the batter is charged.

I found out the first two altinators were rebuilt units. However yesterday they put a Motorcraft altinator from a dealler on it...

Any ideas what could be going on???

Thanks,

Mike Key

 

In many cases, if the Lead Acid battery has been substantially discharged, it is ruined. It will never charge anywhere near to 100% capacity. Batteries can survive a minor discharge - maybe around 9.5Volts or more, but if it's less than that, I wouldn't trust it for anything.

Did you say the battery was replaced first, discharged, then alternator was swapped? I'd let that battery charge, sit overnight (no charging during this time) and see if it'll hold 12.3V...