Simple F350 question for you wrench pullers

[MrMorgan]

Sooooo, the 2004 F350 6.0l diesel started giving me an intermittent battery light. No big deal, as I was thinking it was just a low voltage situation at start up I because I left a light on or something. I figured a good hwy trip would charge it up. Threw the volt meter on it and everything looked fine. The light went out once the truck was good and hot so I didn't worry about it.

So a few more days of my wife driving it and I didn't think of telling her to watch for the light (which doesn't come naturally apparently). I head to work and notice the light comes on while running higher rpms. I lost all electrical for 30 min on the way home. Luckily it was daylight so I got it home and threw it on the charger. Just before I got home, everything came to life again and it seemed to start charging.

Since it's intermittent, I haven't caught the alternator in a low (or no) voltage state. Batteries and connections are all good. I'm guessing the alternator is cutting in an out. Is that a common failure?

I will go over all the connections in the morning and hit it with the volt meter again just for fun. Should it be more than 14 volts to charge?

What happens if the voltage regulator fails? Is there another possible cause I am not thinking of?

I already have a headache and did not feel like searching a bunch of ford forums, so I thought I would lean on you guys.

 

[goodngrubby]

My '06 does the same. I talked to Western Rose out of Red Deer, they said they see it all the time with the Fords. It is a phase burnt out of the alternator. Cost isn't too bad, as they will fix what's wrong with my alternator, instead of just replacing the whole thing.

 

[polarice]

my '06 does the same. I talked to western rose out of red deer, they said they see it all the time with the fords. It is a phase burnt out of the alternator. Cost isn't too bad, as they will fix what's wrong with my alternator, instead of just replacing the whole thing.

been around for a while with the diesels

 

[drford]

Put new alt on truck have done lots for this issue. Ford is not bad for the part they run around $250 for alternator. Also check the wires on the regulator connector when doing alternator the break approx 1/2 inch from connector too

 

[MrMorgan]

The Ford has a new AC Delco alternator on it and is running like a top. Maybe I should put some Mopar parts into it too, just for fun.

 

[sledderdoc]

Sooooo, the 2004 F350 6.0l diesel started giving me an intermittent battery light. No big deal, as I was thinking it was just a low voltage situation at start up I because I left a light on or something. I figured a good hwy trip would charge it up. Threw the volt meter on it and everything looked fine. The light went out once the truck was good and hot so I didn't worry about it.

So a few more days of my wife driving it and I didn't think of telling her to watch for the light (which doesn't come naturally apparently). I head to work and notice the light comes on while running higher rpms. I lost all electrical for 30 min on the way home. Luckily it was daylight so I got it home and threw it on the charger. Just before I got home, everything came to life again and it seemed to start charging.

Since it's intermittent, I haven't caught the alternator in a low (or no) voltage state. Batteries and connections are all good. I'm guessing the alternator is cutting in an out. Is that a common failure?

I will go over all the connections in the morning and hit it with the volt meter again just for fun. Should it be more than 14 volts to charge?

What happens if the voltage regulator fails? Is there another possible cause I am not thinking of?

I already have a headache and did not feel like searching a bunch of ford forums, so I thought I would lean on you guys.

Mine did the same thing turned out to be the altenator. I did also replace the batteries at the same time as they failed a load test.