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Thread: Alternator

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Alternator

    I think my alternator failed. I went to start my Marauder and it turned over a little slower that usual. The volt gauge is down to around 10 volts with the engine idling. When I give it a little gas, the volt gauge doesn't move. When I turn the lights on, the gauge drops to about 8 volts, so I know the gauge is working. Anything else I should consider or check before I go by a new alternator?

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by crouse View Post
    I think my alternator failed. I went to start my Marauder and it turned over a little slower that usual. The volt gauge is down to around 10 volts with the engine idling. When I give it a little gas, the volt gauge doesn't move. When I turn the lights on, the gauge drops to about 8 volts, so I know the gauge is working. Anything else I should consider or check before I go by a new alternator?
    First, make darn sure your battery and connections are good before you fire the parts cannon...

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  3. #3
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    Thanks. I check that tomorrow.

  4. #4
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    Is your battery light illuminated in the dash?

    If yes, probably need an alternator, if no, then as Invective said, battery and / or connections.
    rkk
    2003 Marauder 300A (Black)
    Born 5/24/2002
    Drove Home 6/26/2002

    Current mileage: 109,723
    Sequence number 569 of 7,839 / 11,052 total
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  5. #5
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    check it with hand held voltmeter at battery with car running and off..dont totally trust the stock volt gauge
    2004 SB Ported Trilogy 48
    Has supporting mods and stuff
    Thanks to Marty O for his help in updating this car.

    R.I.P.
    Rex "SC Cheesehead"

  6. #6
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    All of the connections to the battery are tight. With the engine off, my volt meter reads 11.6 volts. When I start the engine, my volt meter shows 11.2 volts. And the battery light is not in when the engine is running.

  7. #7
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    Any suggestion other than a Motorcraft alternator?

  8. #8
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    I like DB Electrical.

    https://www.dbelectrical.com/search-...4.6L(281)%20V8

    Just make sure it's a 4G alternator.
    “When you can’t make them see the light, make them feel the heat.”
    Ronald Regan

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    is to kill them, keep on killing them, until you kill the last one, then you kill his pet goat."

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  9. #9
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    Have any starter, alternator rebuilders around?
    2004 SB Ported Trilogy 48
    Has supporting mods and stuff
    Thanks to Marty O for his help in updating this car.

    R.I.P.
    Rex "SC Cheesehead"

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by crouse View Post
    All of the connections to the battery are tight. With the engine off, my volt meter reads 11.6 volts. When I start the engine, my volt meter shows 11.2 volts. And the battery light is not in when the engine is running.
    Pull the battery out of the car (disconnect negative first), completely clean it, fully charge it using a standard charger then finish up with a smart charger. Why? A standard charger and the car's alternator will charge the battery to 80% capacity. The smart charger will push it to 100% capacity. Never use a smart charger to charge a dead battery as this isn't what they are designed for. I find it much easier to check the cable connections once the battery is out of the car. If the smart charger successfully fully charged the battery, take a proper battery load tester (at least 1000CCA) and check the battery. If it passes, then move on from there. Reconnect the battery, positive first, start Marauder and check battery voltage with no load. Do it right the first time - once and done....
    Current Garage:

    2005 Mustang GT Premium
    2019 Ranger Lariat Super Crewcab 4WD
    2015 Triumph Trophy SE



    “You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,
    Love like you'll never be hurt,
    Sing like there's nobody listening,
    And live like it's heaven on earth.”
    William W. Purkey

  11. #11
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    Thank you for the assistance, however, the battery is about one year old. It's a Motorcraft battery. I'm fairly sure it's the alternator. I'll probably order one from DB Electrical as suggested by FastBlackMerc. And what is a 4G alternator?

  12. #12
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    Exclamation Dang...

    Quote Originally Posted by crouse View Post
    Thank you for the assistance, however, the battery is about one year old. It's a Motorcraft battery. I'm fairly sure it's the alternator. I'll probably order one from DB Electrical as suggested by FastBlackMerc. And what is a 4G alternator?
    It may very well be the alternator but you haven't verified anything yet. Why fire the 'parts cannon' without knowing for sure...
    Current Garage:

    2005 Mustang GT Premium
    2019 Ranger Lariat Super Crewcab 4WD
    2015 Triumph Trophy SE



    “You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,
    Love like you'll never be hurt,
    Sing like there's nobody listening,
    And live like it's heaven on earth.”
    William W. Purkey

  13. #13
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    Winston Salem, NC
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    DB 220 amp alternator for the win! I love mine!!!
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  14. #14
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    I did remove the positive and negative terminals from the battery. Everything looked good and there is no corrosion on the terminals. I reconnected the battery and started the engine. My hand held volt meter showed about 11 amps at the battery, so the alternator is not charging the battery. The car is almost 18 years old with 123,000 miles and the Motorcraft battery is 14 months old, so that's why I'm assuming it's the alternator.

  15. #15
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    Just an update. I ordered an alternator from DB Electrical on Monday. Thanks fastblackmerc for the referral. It arrived today. I just installed it and it working great. 14.5 volts while the engine idles.

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