So I've got a 1997 E350 w/ the 7.3 PSD. It's a cutaway ambulance conversion.
I hadn't started it in a month, fired it up, and the battery light is on. There is a control panel for the ambulance functions that has a digital display. The display shows battery voltage, and amp charge/draw.
SO, first thing you do in an emergency vehicle is turn the manual battery-disconnect switch to the on position. At this point the battery voltage reads fine, and amp usage is nominal (.1).
I turn the key to get the glowplugs going, and the amp usage goes way up. Once the truck is started, the amps usually go down, and eventually start charging at a positive rate, as needed.
Now the battery light is on, and the amp draw is around -170. Does that amp amount sound like a specific problem?
I plan on going through the battery cables, ground connections, etc. between the battery, starter, and alternator. Possibly the glow plug relay, too?
I'm learning more about this everyday.
I've searched and found some good alternator/glow plug relay troubleshooting, but I'm hoping someone knows what that high amp draw might represent.
Thanks.
I hadn't started it in a month, fired it up, and the battery light is on. There is a control panel for the ambulance functions that has a digital display. The display shows battery voltage, and amp charge/draw.
SO, first thing you do in an emergency vehicle is turn the manual battery-disconnect switch to the on position. At this point the battery voltage reads fine, and amp usage is nominal (.1).
I turn the key to get the glowplugs going, and the amp usage goes way up. Once the truck is started, the amps usually go down, and eventually start charging at a positive rate, as needed.
Now the battery light is on, and the amp draw is around -170. Does that amp amount sound like a specific problem?
I plan on going through the battery cables, ground connections, etc. between the battery, starter, and alternator. Possibly the glow plug relay, too?
I'm learning more about this everyday.
I've searched and found some good alternator/glow plug relay troubleshooting, but I'm hoping someone knows what that high amp draw might represent.
Thanks.