Hey Everyone,

Started the truck up yesterday morning without a problem left to go home from work and got to a stoplight and noticed the voltage gage drop to about 10 and the headlights went dim. Took off and gage went back up above 14 and headlights are bright again. I got home and let the truck set for about a half hour and checked voltage on the battery it was 13.06 and then checked it with engine running and it was 14.3 or so. What is going on here?

Thanks!
Ken

 

Sounds like the alternators going out. Did you add anything new electrically?

At idle the alt doesn't produce full amperage. That happens around 1500rpm, when you're driving, and at the stop the battery has to pick up the slack.

 

I agree with the alt probably going out, but it could be your battery. when you tested the alt, did you have lights on and such. best thing to do is to test the battery with nothing on (truck running) and then have someone turn the lights on. There should be a draw on the battery but the alt should almost instantly pick it back up. try that and let us know how it goes.

*Edit... If the battery does not come back up most likly its the alt. But it might be hard to test this cause it sounds like it might be happening intermittently (sp?)

 

Go to your local parts house chain and have 'em checked on the spot.

 

Mine did that when my IAC was dirty. Going up to a stop light and taking my foot off the gas the engine would almost stall from lack of air, causing the alt to spin very slowly

 

your alt should be charging at around 13 at idle with nothing on. if its below that at idle alt is bad or going bad

 

HELLO TO ALL,

THANKS FOR ALL THE REPLYS BUT, IT DID'NT HAVE A PROBLEM THIS MORNING. I KINDA RAN THE TRUCK PRETTY HARD ON THE WAY HOME WILL SEE IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. I THINK WITH 172,000 MILESTHE ALTERNATOR ISTIRED, AND I WAS GOING TO CHANGE THE BATTERY TO ANOPTIMA ANYWAY BEFORE WINTER.

THANKS
KEN

 

ideally your alternater should charge at 14.4 volts continously even at idle. Your alternater should be running everything including your computer and such. Your battery is there to start the truck and act as a cushion for spikes and such.

 

WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS. NOW ONTO ANOTHER PROBLEM I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THIS MORNING AND THE TRUCK STARTED TO LOOSE ALL POWER, AND HESTATING,BUCKING,POPPING AND BACKFIRING THRU THE THROTTLE BODY. I STOPPED AND SAT THERE FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS AND THEN MATTED THE GAS PEDAL AND NO PROBLEMS. THEN ON THE WAY TO WORK TODAY IT ALL STARTED OVER AGAIN. WHAT THE #@&^!!!!!!!!

KEN