I need some help diagnosing a problem im having. I just made a long trip about 200 miles, about 3/4 of the way there I look down at my dash and saw my battery light flickering when I accelerate. Looking down about again about 10 minutes later I see the needle on the ammeter on the verge of reaching full. It then starts to fluctuating like crazy everything else was normal (temp. and oil levels). I pulled over and checked to see if I had a lose connection and everything was tight on the terminals. But it did see some corrosion. Does anybody have any idea what the problem can be? Im scarred to make the trip back now...
Ammeter overcharging battery?
- Thread starter osker246
- Start date
wmburns
SN Certified Technician
Ok so it turns out theres nothing wrong with my alternator. I ran into somebody who claimed was a mechanic and checked out my car. The found that the serpentine belt was a bit loose and said this could cause the alternator to run harder. Which can cause the over charging. Does this sound right?
Maxpowers
Member
Not at all. The belt systems on these cars are self adjusting. Furthermore, the belt would make a chirping sound if it was loose.
On top of all that, if it was loose it would be spinning slower causing a low charge. Still, I don't believe it.
On top of all that, if it was loose it would be spinning slower causing a low charge. Still, I don't believe it.
Well I did watch him when he checked it out and he was actually able to twist the serpentine belt around. It seems to me that it shouldn't of been that loose, than again I don't know anything about cars. If the problem isn't the alternator or serpentine belt, what else can it be?
*edit*
Ok so I actually just went out and messed with the serpentine belt and it doesn't seem loose to me. I've been looking online and can't find a lot, but I did find some places saying this can happen due to a faulty regulator. But isn't this something that can be spotted when they test the alternator?
*edit*
Ok so I actually just went out and messed with the serpentine belt and it doesn't seem loose to me. I've been looking online and can't find a lot, but I did find some places saying this can happen due to a faulty regulator. But isn't this something that can be spotted when they test the alternator?
Maxpowers
Member
The belt should be able to turn about 90 degrees.
This is a problem with the alt or wiring. As stated above, get a free test done at any number of parts stores.
This is a problem with the alt or wiring. As stated above, get a free test done at any number of parts stores.
Ok, Stopped by Autozone, everything was all clear on the test. I was speaking with one of the employee's there and he had told me it could be due to the regulator going out. Long story short, I ended up replacing the alternator myself (1st repair on a car by myself, YEAH!). Strange thing is, the battery light stays lit in the dash board now. I can't figure out why. Any ideas?
wmburns
SN Certified Technician
I havent checked the fuses yet, im going to do that tomorrow when I have some more light. But I did clean the battery terminals and connectors with cleaner and wire brush. I may go back to autozone tomorrow and have them test the new alternator. I've been reading it that it may be due to a faulty remanufactured alternator.
Maxpowers
Member
I got an idea - the problem wasn't the alternator. Have the battery checked. You are probably fine to drive home regardless.
I'd guess your battery is the culprit, or there is an issue with wiring. Stop taking the advice of random idiots who claim to know. Take the new alternator back and get a refund. Take your car to a Ford dealer with a trained tech, not some guy who says he's a mechanic but obviously doesn't know jack about cars.
It's likely a simple fix if you stop buying parts at random.
The light actually stopped lighting in the dashboard. I made it home perfectly fine. I went and took the new alternator to get tested and everything was fine. When I was at autozone though, they did tell me before the test that the tester stated the battery needed to be charged before the test. Oddly enough it only took like 15 min to charge. So I assume the problem with the battery light was with with the battery since I no longer have the problem. Which is weird because there was no problems with the battery the first time it was tested. Thanks for the help anyways guys.
Sent from my VM670 using Tapatalk
Sent from my VM670 using Tapatalk
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