Thread: battery issues
View Single Post
  #2  
Old 01-17-2007, 12:21 PM
airboatphil airboatphil is offline
AF Newbie
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 25
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Re: battery issues

The volt gauge on my 88 F150 basically acts the same way....theres really nothing wrong. If you just turn the key on without cranking, observe where the volt needle stays at. This will be a your reference point as to actual battery voltage. You can check the battery with a seperate volt meter to see where you stand.After you fire up the engine, the needle must go above this point.When you place loads on the charging system...it is common for the needle to go down. As long as it stays somewhat above that reference point...with a load on the alternator....you are fine. Now, what caused the truck to crank "heavy" the other day may be the extreme cold weather, the alternator may have a bad diode allowing discharge will not running, etc,etc.
Phil
Reply With Quote