charging system
 

2001 f350 /7.3l single alternator.when the truck is started the charging light comes on till the rpm's are raised then goes out.the volt guage seems normal,what could be causing this?alternator on it's way out?thanks for any help.

Make sure to post up in the Ford section and not the tech section...

Might want to start by using a voltmeter to check the output on the alternator...

Sounds like the voltage regulator on the alt is going out. Pretty typical to what I have seen in the past.

did you check any output voltage? was it regulator?

cispd hit nail on the head! just replaced mine (just had alt rebuilt for 50 bucks) mine was like that when bought my truck thought it was normal till i looked at a volt gauge was sittin at a 12.3 at idle... and dats no good with heat and headlights on lol after rebuild sittin like 13.2-3 no acc on with heat and head lights bout 13, so yea its prob on way out BTW gauge on the dash is basically a dummy light it dont move at ALL unless u turn IGN off just like the 01 02 trans on dash temp gauge they dont move till ur trans is bout too eat ur friction material on ur cluch plates... ford... its a love hate relationship love my 7.3 just dont like all there gauge stuff :-/

my truck was doing same thing. replaced alternator and batteries. haven't had any problems since. most places will sell a refurbished alternator with a core charge. just replace it. easy to do and takes about 10 min.