Alternator issues

[Willard]

Well, the past couple days I have had a problem come up a couple times. The charging light has come on intermittently, usually during hard acceleration. I have also noticed the battery light doesn't come on when starting, and I have realized it hasn't since I can remember. Another issue that has been for a very long time, is that it charges kind of high, like 3/4 the way up the volt gauge on the dash. It stays there all the time, unless I am sitting at a stop light with the lights on, and the heater cranked up all the way, when it drops down to the middle. Upon reading I have found I might have a bad voltage regulator. It is also possible the cable need replaced, as they are the original ones. There are no actual charging problems, it cranks fast all the time, and everything works like it is supposed to. I just think I have an arising problem here. I just want to know what the problem could be, I don't want to replace the alternator, it seems to work fine. The drive belt it newer and properly tensioned. Any thoughts? :scratch:

 

[BrooklynBay]

Test the voltage when it's cold, then do a comparison when it's hot. Use an actual volt meter, and don't rely on the gauge in the vehicle. It does sound like a regulator issue. You could have the alternator tested in or out of the vehicle.

 

[Willard]

Well, finally got a chance to test it, and I'm looking at about 14.9-15 volts at idle. Guess that's a definite regulator issue.

 

[Willard]

I had a battery light come on and stay on the other night, so my dad and I took it apart to rebuild it. After we examined the inside of this 14 year old alternator, we realized it wouldn't be much more expensive to just get a new one, so we did. So the battery light's gone, but it still charges around 15 volts at idle. Why else could it be high? battery problem? cables?

 

[little x]

I assume you did change the voltage regulator already?

 

[Willard]

yes, there was a new one on the new alternator.

 

[X-North]

I know its a little late but look my link i made a complete text on how to test alternator and charging system.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=204359

 

[Willard]

thanks for that but I've got that covered my dad used to rebuild alternators on OTR and construction vehicles, so he helped me out there

 

[Four0Sport]

14.5 is an ideal voltage read out while the vehicle is running.. right? thats what ive been beleiving anyway. ive come across quite a few ford alternators that overcharge and sometimes it was a regulator problem, but not necessarily the regulator itself. the plug-in on the back of the regulator sometimes corrodes and casues intermittent problems. you can pick one up at a parts store for under $10, just make sure you identify the wires first, the aftermarket plug ins arent normally color coded the same as the wiring on your trucks harness. hope this helps some.