Charging Problem

[z250kid]

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i have a 1996 F350 4x4 powestroke
im charging
i replaced the battieries and had the altenator checked they said it was good.at idle it doesnt put out 14 stays at 12 and when its about 1000rpm it puts out some voltage but when its about 1500 its about 14ish. i dont know if its the altenator or regulator i need to find out before winter.
any help is appriciated

[bigcountrysg]

Replace the alternator. The alternator should put out 13-14 volts at all times. If your only putting out 12 and when you raise the rpms you get 14 then your alternator is bad. A weak alternator will damage the batteries. Just like bad batteries will damage a good alternator.

[z250kid]

thanks because i replaced the battieres like 2 weeks ago and its acting up my instrament panel gauge said it was about 10 volts like 30 seconds afterstarting.

[bigcountrysg]

Originally Posted by z250kid

thanks because i replaced the battieres like 2 weeks ago and its acting up my instrament panel gauge said it was about 10 volts like 30 seconds afterstarting.

Yepper you need a new alternator. Buy a lifetime warranty one from autozone or other nationwide part store. Then you will never have to buy one again.

[z250kid]

but what i dont understand was when i got the truck the positve wire for horn and cruise controll were cut i dont if there was a drain or the guy didnt want the horn?

[95and05]

Originally Posted by z250kid

but what i dont understand was when i got the truck the positve wire for horn and cruise controll were cut i dont if there was a drain or the guy didnt want the horn?

is that 2 separate wires or 1 for both?
if the truck has tilt steering and was tilted a lot it can cause breaks in the small wires to the cruise and horn causing problems that the previous owner solved by just cutting wires.

[ricksstang]

Originally Posted by z250kid

thanks because i replaced the battieres like 2 weeks ago and its acting up my instrament panel gauge said it was about 10 volts like 30 seconds afterstarting.

This is normal, when the glow plugs are running. After warm up and the plugs are not running the voltage will come back up. If it does not come up after warm up then you possably have a problem.
Also check your cables and terminals as they could cause some resistance, or sometimes I have seen a battery (that still tested good) cause low altenator voltage output. Your batteries help stabilize your charging system.

Good luck

Rick

[z250kid]

yea the altenator was going i got one from autzone because the have a lifetime warenty :]
after the glow plugs kick of its about 14 volts