Overcharging?

[ebrant]

I just took delivery of my 1999 F250 pS on Monday and today on the way home from work, the battery light comes on. I checked the voltage at both batteries with everything off and it's 15.7! So I started it up and checked it again and now it's 15.9 at both batteries. Now what? Is my voltage regulator gone. All connections look clean and tight. Thanks for your help. (My first post - you guys are awesome!)

 

[JLDickmon]

sounds like it... good thing it's replaceable without major annoyance and displeasure...

 

[DaveBen]

Welcome ebrant, you will get it.

Dave

 

[Tbar]

Are you using one of those inexpensive chinese multimeters.....................I have two that register over voltage. A better meter shows correct or low voltage.


Tbar

 

[White Buffalo]

Are you using one of those inexpensive chinese multimeters.....................Tbar

good call



ebrant,

There are some other folks here from NC also, hopefully they will chime in soon and if someone that has a programmer in your area they can check the PCM' s reading of the voltage or you can run down to Autozone, O'Riely's or Walmart and they will test the batteries and alternator for free. All there scanners will show the voltage reading.

 

[ebrant]

Are you using one of those inexpensive chinese multimeters.....................I have two that register over voltage. A better meter shows correct or low voltage.


Tbar

Well, in this case my meter is a Fluke 12, not a big 'un but a pro class meter. I was very surprised to see a reading over 14.4. I didn't think a 12V battery could give you 15.7 at rest.

 

[DaveBen]

That is a good point, I also have never seen a battery over 14.4 volts at rest. But Fluke is about as good as they get.

Dave

 

[ebrant]

Well, Advance Auto tested my system and the good news is that my batteries are good. The bad news is that my alternator is toast. Got a new 160 amp on order. I gotta get this fixed before next week 'cause I'm towing the camper to the mountains for the week. Thanks everybody for all your help.

 

[jvencius]

Well, Advance Auto tested my system and the good news is that my batteries are good. The bad news is that my alternator is toast. Got a new 160 amp on order. I gotta get this fixed before next week 'cause I'm towing the camper to the mountains for the week. Thanks everybody for all your help.

An alternator swap for a single-alternator PSD is a ~15 minute job, provided you have the right tools (1/2" breaker bar for the belt tensioner and IIRC, a deep (to give knuckle clearance) 10mm or 11mm socket), and a matching ratchet. Hell, as long as it's not raining, you can do the swap in the parking lot and drop the core off right there.