Dash light question...
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Southwest Arizona
Dash light question...
On startup (sometimes) the battery indicator on the dash flashes sporadically for a few minutes and the radio shuts on and off. A few miles on the road and it goes away. I have checked the alternator by disconnecting the battery while started and the truck runs fine. The alternator is less than a month old and was a new unit, should I be concerned? Please help...this is driving me nuts! 
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,456
Likes: 1
From: SE Mich
Boy... when it comes to electronic stuff I really don't know an awfull lot. Best thing I'd know to do is to take the alt and the battery off the truck and take them to Autozone. They'll test both of them for free. At least that way you would know they are good or bad and can rule them out.
Rich
Rich
Senior Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,300
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, VA, USA
why did you replace the original alternator? same issue?
this one is only a month old. when did this concern start happening?
you need to have the alternator tested. might just be a bad reman unit.
would be a good idea to have it done in the truck like it sits now since it's an intermittent or only at startup concern.
good luck.
later,
chris
this one is only a month old. when did this concern start happening?
you need to have the alternator tested. might just be a bad reman unit.
would be a good idea to have it done in the truck like it sits now since it's an intermittent or only at startup concern.
good luck.
later,
chris
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 0
From: NH
I would say it sounds like a weak battery that is partially discharged after it sits. You say the battery light flickers and the radio goes on and off but a few minutes on the road it goes away…
That said it sounds like your alternator is good and doing its job by charging up the battery. I would do as superfords suggested and add to have your electrolyte, if it is not a sealed battery, checked.
If it is the factory battery look through the hole/window on the top of it. There are colored ***** in there, which serve to tell you the condition of your electrolyte. If the ball is green it means it’s in good to decent shape. If the ball is red it means your battery is on its way to failure.
That said it sounds like your alternator is good and doing its job by charging up the battery. I would do as superfords suggested and add to have your electrolyte, if it is not a sealed battery, checked.
If it is the factory battery look through the hole/window on the top of it. There are colored ***** in there, which serve to tell you the condition of your electrolyte. If the ball is green it means it’s in good to decent shape. If the ball is red it means your battery is on its way to failure.
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Southwest Arizona
Thank you gentlemen...I was really starting to get concerned. To answer the previous questions "Yes" this is similar to what occurred the first time with the exception that the L died completely while driving home.
It began about 2 weeks after install, no apparent reason. Same battery (recharged completely prior to install of new alternator) and it is only 6-months old at best (Stinger 1000 High output; closed cell).
Even though I shelled out $250 for the Stinger (sold the Optima red top to do it..stupid!) because it was "supposed" to be better.
No complaints though, God is good!
It began about 2 weeks after install, no apparent reason. Same battery (recharged completely prior to install of new alternator) and it is only 6-months old at best (Stinger 1000 High output; closed cell).
Even though I shelled out $250 for the Stinger (sold the Optima red top to do it..stupid!) because it was "supposed" to be better.
No complaints though, God is good!