Sup guys, I've got a 05 f350 that just started losing its mind on the way to work today.

The batteries were replaced last October. But the battery light has been coming on ( bright then dim) off and on for about 2 weeks.

It had a hard time starting but fired,

About halfway to work the radio cut off and the abs light came on

A few miles later the radio came on and abs light went back off

After that a combination of on/off between the abs light, guage lights, odometer, and all guages happened.

All while the engine ran completely normal. I got to work and parked, turned the truck off and now it just clicks when I try to start it.

I'm guessing alternator. My only guess

If you guys have any other guesses or back up my imperfect theory please let me know.

Thanks


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What's the battery voltage key off engine off and at idle?

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11.56. V key off. I'm waiting for our jump box to charge so I can start it. It just clicks when I try to start it.

I load tested the battery and the batteries are weak, still good though

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I'm guessing you used an electronic tester or a carbon pile. You need to jump it and get a running voltage before you can do much. Have you verified voltage at the starter with it under load?

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Yea we've got a battery load tester at work. And no I haven't. I'll do that.

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Starter has the same 11.6 v

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Got it started. 12.36 v on both batteries. Only 2 amps coming off the alternator.. I think its the alternator. Lol

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Got it on... and running... but that "new" alternator is smoking slightly..

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Glad you got it fixed. An alternator really isn't designed to recharge batteries, only maintain them. So when recharging 2 batteries that are weak they'll heat up. Likely the smoke is just typical burn off though and its unlikely you hurt the alternator. Our denso rep is very stern that running a alternator with batteries that are failing will shorten the life of the alternator, and recharging dead batteries can dramatically reduce the life of the alternator... but folks do it all the time

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