I got a question, When I start my truck the batt/volt guage will got to about 10 then rise slowly to about 14 stay there for a second or two and then drop back down to about 10. It will do this a few times then instead of dropping to 10 it will drop to about 12, it will do this a few times. As the guage dropps all the lights dim. After a few min usally after I have waited a few min then drive a couple of blocks then it will go up to the 14 mark and stay there and never drop again. I just started noticing it but it happens every time I start the truck. Today I drove about 20 miles in rush hour so the truck was running for about 45 min got to my destination was there for about 10 min and left again. When I started it up it all happened again so I don't think it has to do with being hot or cold since I know the engine could not have dropped that much in temp in that short of time however it is only in the single digit temps around here. My question is this normal? Is it the alternator? What should I check?

My truck is 92, 3/4 ton, CTD, manual trans.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide.

 

i know our one ford will do that it cycles the glow plugs after it fires right up and the volt gauge will do that

 

Thanks

 

It sounds like the air heater grids cycling. They cycle based on intake temperature so they very well could have came back on after only sitting for 10 minutes with the temps we've been having.

Quit whining and get those running boards off.

 

X2

 

I'm not whining just inexperienced.

I need the boards so I can get into my truck.

 

when it gets cold out, below 40, they should only cycle twice on their own......anymore than that and you got problems......

 

how do I even know they are cycling?

 

your light should kick on like shortman's is and have a heavy draw.....

 

Only the initial "wait to start" light comes on then i hear a click when it goes off and it starts right up. all my dash lights and head light if on dim when the batt guage drops. no other lights come on and the wait light only comes on once.

thanks logan