PennSilverTaco's "Perfect 5-Lug Regular Cab" Build, Aspergers, and General BS MegaThread!

Kidding, kidding..

 

I like it
I’d even drive it.

 

I hit 142K while doing DoorDash this morning!

 

Almost 600 miles in a week!

 

I was doing DoorDash and my radio started acting weird (it had power but no sound; Works now); A short time later, my battery light came on...

The kicker is that the battery light only comes on while the truck is stationary. The battery is only a little over a year old, but the truck has 142K miles and the alternator is original. This issue was random and spontaneous, just manifesting itself today...



The battery light only seems to be on when the headlights are on...

 

About to go to AutoZone and get the alternator tested...

 

Now it's out...

 

We shall see if it comes back on...

 

Probably right on the ragged edge of making enough voltage to trigger the light. It puts out the least at idle which is why it comes on when stopped. Check it with a multimeter and see what its putting out.

 

Get a simple plug-in volt meter and plug into the power port (cig lighter). Ideally, voltage at idle with all accessories off should be 13.5 to 14.5 volts. At 2K RPM, voltage, ideally, should be 14 volts, give or take .2. With accessories on (high beams; fan on high; and wipers on high), voltage, at idle, must stay above 12.6 - below this, the battery is being drained. Note, don't turn on the AC - that is a mechanical device, not electrical. These voltage readings should identify most Alt problems, but not all. Eric the car guy, has a good utube video on ID'ing alt issues with a common voltmeter. I keep a voltmeter plugged into the power port so I can identify alt problems before I get stranded.

Note - some USB plug-in’s have a built in voltage reader. May have a small display but will also work.

 

You racked up a few!

 

My weekend, and my alternator, are totally fucked! My neighbor let me borrow his trickle charger, so I can keep the battery from going totally flat and I can actually drive it to Pete's on Monday; We have bad storm coming in and the charger can't be left outside for obvious reasons, so that's why my truck is in the garage...

 

If your alternator is actually failing then it's not wise to take a long trip

 

10 miles?

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LGB6ZEjGm7Q

 

Personally I wouldn't. But if you're going to then make sure to minimize the draw on the electrical system. Stereo off, fan either off or no more than the low setting, no charging your phone, no Christmas lights and if possible no headlights

 

Good news; My friend Dave is an ASE certified mechanic (now he drives an 18-wheeler for a living but he still wrenches on his own vehicles), and he's gonna help me swap out the alternator tomorrow in exchange for some money and a case of Guinness!



I will only have to pull the truck a few feet out of the garage at most!

 

Alternator changeout vid? Can't see the link...

 

Diagnosis so you don’t have to remove it. I can see it on my end.

 

I don't know what else it could be; Symptoms include...

• Battery warning light coming on when two or more accessories (like headlights and stereo).
• ABS and traction control lights coming on.
• Radio and HVAC shutting down completely.
• Headlights "pulsating" in perfect unison to idling engine.

Also, the truck has over 142K miles and the alternator is original; I seriously have idea what else could possibly be causing this. The battery is only a little over a year old as well...