Alternator Failed - 2006 F350

[Black06]

Recently returned from a weekend 400 miles North - pulled like a charm. Two (2) days after returning, she refused to start. Buddy with a Chevy jump started her (still rather push a Ford), as both batteries dead (indicator light confirmed both RED) ! ? !

Common sense tells me alternator; confirmed by dealer who is currently awaiting new alternator.

Questions:
1. Why no battery light, or CEL fault thrown ?
2. Why does my buddies Chevy (and my old F150) have voltage meter but not my F350?
3. Is is possible a dead battery on my travel trailer caused this condition.

Help me understand.

 

[rynarnell]

if your altenator went out when you were driving you would know. A light would come on. Your voltage regulator probably hit the bucket. And there are usually internal with the altenator so they replace the whole thing. If your truck sat for a while after your trip, check for a draw in the charging system.

 

[Black06]

if your altenator went out when you were driving you would know. A light would come on. Your voltage regulator probably hit the bucket. And there are usually internal with the altenator so they replace the whole thing. If your truck sat for a while after your trip, check for a draw in the charging system.

Thanks. Voltage regulator would explain it. Truck is a daily driver so she doesn't sit at all.

 

[bushpilot]

charging wont set a CEL or SES light.
I dont know for certain but the gauges in the dash are
for &U^%.

I use a cyberdyne "plug-in" voltmeter when traveling...
when the truck is OFF it will indicate the battery voltage,
when the truck is running it will indicate the alternator
CHARGE voltage.

i keep the gauge in the door pocket...when im curious i
plug it into the power point (aka cig. lighter socket)...on
a long trip its possible to have the gauge plugged IN but
not making contact (basically OFF)...a slight tap to seat it
in the powerpoint socket and it turns on.

I know this is of course not what youd expect to NEED on a 2006
truck...but for 29 bucks it might be helpful in the future.


CYBERDYNE PLUG IN VOLTMETER

A003E060N - Cyberdyne UltraGage Red: Voltmeters - 12 Volts - egauges.com

 

[Black06]

charging wont set a CEL or SES light.
I dont know for certain but the gauges in the dash are
for &U^%.

I use a cyberdyne "plug-in" voltmeter when traveling...
when the truck is OFF it will indicate the battery voltage,
when the truck is running it will indicate the alternator
CHARGE voltage.

i keep the gauge in the door pocket...when im curious i
plug it into the power point (aka cig. lighter socket)...on
a long trip its possible to have the gauge plugged IN but
not making contact (basically OFF)...a slight tap to seat it
in the powerpoint socket and it turns on.

I know this is of course not what youd expect to NEED on a 2006
truck...but for 29 bucks it might be helpful in the future.


CYBERDYNE PLUG IN VOLTMETER

A003E060N - Cyberdyne UltraGage Red: Voltmeters - 12 Volts - egauges.com

Thanks for the links.

 

[bushpilot]

NP, doesnt solve your problem but its something worth watching in
the future.

FWIW summit racing, jegs and JC Whitney sell the voltmeters for LESS...
and theyre NOW avail in a choice of LED display colors...i can tell you RED
is BRIGHT REALLY BRIGHT (but at night red will not cause your pupils to
dilate (which can be a problem when you look at bright/dash lighting
and then try to look out the DARK windshield)

 

[WD40]

Hay Bush, thanks for the imfo.

 

[Black06]

NP, doesnt solve your problem but its something worth watching in
the future.

FWIW summit racing, jegs and JC Whitney sell the voltmeters for LESS...
and theyre NOW avail in a choice of LED display colors...i can tell you RED
is BRIGHT REALLY BRIGHT (but at night red will not cause your pupils to
dilate (which can be a problem when you look at bright/dash lighting
and then try to look out the DARK windshield)

Ordered the voltage meter for future reference - thanks again.
Question: I've driven only fifty (50) miles since truck was returned with the new alternator, however noticed that the battery indicator light continues to show green/red. Though the dealer suggests a load check was conducted on the batteries, I don't believe any charging was done to return them from their dead state. Approx. how long will it take the single alternator to charge the two (2) batteries ?

 

[DaveBen]

A while, as in hours and maybe a day of driving and not idleing.

Dave

 

[Black06]

A while, as in hours and maybe a day of driving and not idleing.

Dave

I think I'll trickle-charge overnight, and monitor over the next few days.
Thanks