Battery light on...
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 12
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From: Georgia
Battery light on...
Battery Light on the dash is on and will not go out. I've had the battery checked at Autuozone and it's good. I also removed the alternaotr and took it to an auto electric shop and they found the voltage regulator bad. He replaced it. Problem solved right? WRONG!
After putting the alternator back on (not as easy as it sounds) and charging the battery I started it up and the light remains on.
The battery voltage reads correctly when the engine is not running according to my voltmeter. When the engine is running I read about 16-18 volts at the battery terminals.
I know these engines are covered top to bottom with fuses, fusible links, and assorted other crap some goofball engineer thought needed to be there but I am at my wits end. I NEED this truck on the road fellas so any and all help will be greatly appreciated.
1997 F150 4wd Ext. Cab
4.6L V-8 (VIN 8th digit is 6)
5-speed
After putting the alternator back on (not as easy as it sounds) and charging the battery I started it up and the light remains on.
The battery voltage reads correctly when the engine is not running according to my voltmeter. When the engine is running I read about 16-18 volts at the battery terminals.
I know these engines are covered top to bottom with fuses, fusible links, and assorted other crap some goofball engineer thought needed to be there but I am at my wits end. I NEED this truck on the road fellas so any and all help will be greatly appreciated.
1997 F150 4wd Ext. Cab
4.6L V-8 (VIN 8th digit is 6)
5-speed
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 994
Likes: 0
From: Sparks, Nevada
Hi Beau
Havent run into this one before, but did get me curious.
Maynot apply but seems to me that 16-18Volts is to much going to battery? Did you ask the tech. who repaired alt. about the reading you got showing 16-18Volts. Is that ok. I think over 15 volts is considered HI ?
Also there should be a ALT fuse and ALT field fuse in the junction box mounted on engine compartment bulkhead. They should be intactd and making positive connections. Replace any broken fuses.
There are other tests to confirm why batt. light stays on, one way circuit test etc. But thats way over my head. Get a manual that has chg. system for your truck. Or maybe someone else on this bd. can be of more help.
Good luck. OT
Havent run into this one before, but did get me curious.
Maynot apply but seems to me that 16-18Volts is to much going to battery? Did you ask the tech. who repaired alt. about the reading you got showing 16-18Volts. Is that ok. I think over 15 volts is considered HI ?
Also there should be a ALT fuse and ALT field fuse in the junction box mounted on engine compartment bulkhead. They should be intactd and making positive connections. Replace any broken fuses.
There are other tests to confirm why batt. light stays on, one way circuit test etc. But thats way over my head. Get a manual that has chg. system for your truck. Or maybe someone else on this bd. can be of more help.
Good luck. OT
Senior Member
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,188
Likes: 3
From: Kansas side of the greater KC area
16 to 18 volts is high it should be around 12 to 14 and anything umder 12 is low. I would take it to a trusted shop and have them test the charging system to find out what is going on with it.
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2000 F150 XLT Reg. cab
4.6 Triton Engine
4x2 3.55 rear end gear
sliding rear window
automatic keyless entry
white styleside short box
------------------
2000 F150 XLT Reg. cab
4.6 Triton Engine
4x2 3.55 rear end gear
sliding rear window
automatic keyless entry
white styleside short box
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
You guys are right about the voltage being higher than it should be. I used a different multi-meter today (a much newer digital unit) and the voltage at the battery was just over 14 volts with the engine on. This is about what it should be I think.
I'm still stumped though. I've done everything thats listed in the Haynes manual to do when the battery light stays on and still no change. Fuses are intact, cleaned connections at the starter switch and elsewhere...
I'm beginning to think I'll have to take it to the shop for some further study. I hate it though. You can't trust any of these service departments anymore. One things for certain, this is my last Ford truck. My GM counterparts are having much better luck with their comparable trucks. I'm eating too much crow these last couple of years.
Poor reliability combined with Ford Motor's apparent lack of concern for customer satisfaction is a powerful catalyst for a move to another brand.
Not to mention massive financial support of environmental extremists, discimination in the work place, etc. Not too many pleasant headlines for the Blue Oval lately.
I'm still stumped though. I've done everything thats listed in the Haynes manual to do when the battery light stays on and still no change. Fuses are intact, cleaned connections at the starter switch and elsewhere...
I'm beginning to think I'll have to take it to the shop for some further study. I hate it though. You can't trust any of these service departments anymore. One things for certain, this is my last Ford truck. My GM counterparts are having much better luck with their comparable trucks. I'm eating too much crow these last couple of years.
Poor reliability combined with Ford Motor's apparent lack of concern for customer satisfaction is a powerful catalyst for a move to another brand.
Not to mention massive financial support of environmental extremists, discimination in the work place, etc. Not too many pleasant headlines for the Blue Oval lately.