1999 F150. Driving yesterday and radio started going out, gauges died, windows wouldn't go up and, wiper wpould wipe once. I would turn on my headlights and radio started working. Windows never did. Like a gremlin in the electronics. Today it was totally dead. I jumped it and it started and ran but went off. Jumped again and tried lights and it died dead. Battery?
2007-08-19 10:23:38 · 9 answers · asked by brent b 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Pull you battery and take it to a parts store and have them check it. If your battery is good, make sure you check all your connections. You will want to make sure they are all tight and free of corrosion. If that is not an issue then, you will need a new alternator.
2007-08-19 10:29:32 · answer #1 · answered by ericbrog 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It can either be the battery or the alternator or some bad connections. To go and buy a new battery or alternator without making sure what the problem is does not make sense. I know we all try to save money but to buy a new battery while it is the alternator [or the other way around] will not be money saving.
If you don't have any test equipment try the next test: Jumpstart it and rev the engine a little while you carefully watch the interior light. If it goes a little brighter when the revs go up the alternator is charging. If the light goes brighter when you turn the engine OFF you will know that the alternator is not charging. This crude test can at least provide some direction to your problem.
Never disconnect a battery while the engine is running as Nomadd says. It will damage the diodes in the alternator and can mess up the other electronics in the car. You can damage your ECU as well. Don't do it!
2007-08-19 18:00:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The battery is dead because the alternator is bad. Once the engine is running, you could take the battery out altogether, and it wouldn't die if the alternator was good.
The gremlin could be caused by a bad ground connection between the engine and the chassis. Check that out before you start parting with money.
All you need to check the alternator is a $15 voltmeter.
2007-08-19 18:20:50 · answer #3 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check the battery voltage with a simple volt meter with the motor off. If the battery is fully charged or in good condition ot should read 12.5 volts minimum. If not pull the battery and an automatic battery charger, charge it overnight @ 2 amps. In the AM you should be getting a full 12.5 volts. If it's less than 12 volts, better start shopping for a new one. When it's installed with motor running the battery should read 13.5 - 14 volts. This reflects that the alternator is giving you the proper charge rate.
2007-08-19 19:46:00 · answer #4 · answered by Country Boy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The battery charges the alternator and the alternator holds the charge-. I would get the battery out and take it down to your local auto store like Advanced Auto Parts or Auto Zone and have them check the battery, usually they do this for free but check with them first. Been their and done that.
2007-08-19 17:31:40 · answer #5 · answered by Lostinhiseyes 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Alternator, it stopped charging your battery to start with.... get a new alternator and you should be good.
2007-08-19 17:37:26 · answer #6 · answered by Stampy Skunk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
alternator , definitely... but since you put a decent strain on the battery by running the truck off of it, i would replace the battery, too. That's my practice on my customer's vehicles and my own too.
2007-08-19 17:44:31 · answer #7 · answered by skid 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sounds like the the alternator. mine went out on me and it acted the same way. luckily it was less than a week after i bought it and the cost was covered by the dealership. good luck
2007-08-19 17:27:36 · answer #8 · answered by Tiffany 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Alternator. You'll need a fresh batter too, though.
2007-08-19 17:29:23 · answer #9 · answered by hobocline 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋