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Battery Light comes on at 70mph
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conrail079
New User
Apr 8, 2014, 1:52 PM
Post #1 of 8
(1972 views)
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Battery Light comes on at 70mph
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1 have a 1999 Ford Econoline Van with 90,000 miles (4.6L Auto). This just started...
Driving on the freeway the battery light starts to ficker at around 70 MPH. If I slow to
60 mph is goes out. When the light is on it appears to be draining the battery (voltage on
the gauge starts to move downward, normal around 16v..moving downward close to 14v).
What could this Be?
1-Is this battery light on the dash a charging system light?
2-Is the Voltage gauge, a gauge or an idiot Light?
3-Belt Looks Fine
Thanks
Donald
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 8, 2014, 2:39 PM
Post #2 of 8
(1961 views)
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Re: Battery Light comes on at 70mph
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16 volts is not normal at all. 14 volts is what is normal. You need to monitor this voltage with more accurate equipment then the dash gauge to determine exactly what is happening and when.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 8, 2014, 4:10 PM
Post #3 of 8
(1952 views)
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Re: Battery Light comes on at 70mph
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At 70 mph your probably around 2700 rpm. Does the light flicker if you rev the engine up and hold around 2700 rpm in park?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 8, 2014, 10:32 PM
Post #4 of 8
(1935 views)
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Re: Battery Light comes on at 70mph
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Check real voltage as 16v is too high and usually if you really saw that for real it could be even higher if unregulated and things will blow.
Check belt tension and if close to the end toss it and the belt. Put a voltmeter in the cig lighter for real voltage as what I think you are seeing is 2v too high now each. That meaning you see 14v reads 16v and 14v means 12v so it's not charging up to it's best for belt or a diode cooked which drops outputs by guess 2/3rds of what it should do,
T
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conrail079
New User
Apr 10, 2014, 3:40 PM
Post #5 of 8
(1907 views)
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Re: Battery Light comes on at 70mph
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Me Again,
This voltage gauge is hard to tell what the voltage really is... it has 18V at the top and 8V at the bottom with a bracketed
area that is supposed to be the normal area. Thats where it runs all the time. untill now when I get to 70 mph and the battery
light comes on. After a while the voltage starts to go down from the normal position.
I also tried reving the engine in the driveway and when I got up high enough the battery light came on.
Thanks Again for everyones help...
Donald
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 10, 2014, 10:05 PM
Post #6 of 8
(1899 views)
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Re: Battery Light comes on at 70mph
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You need the real voltages. Not expensive for basic volt meter so simple you just plug in a power port/cig lighter. Vehicle's gauges are a rough idea and many flash a warning light also if out of spec.
Easy and worth having for about $12 bucks they come like this..........
Nice to watch real volts when cranking to start and operating voltage while running and impact of running accessories if it can stay in range. Too high or low is no good. Belt may be too loose for this and somehow grip changes with higher RPM but shouldn't go too high ever as it is regulated not to be able to. Too low it isn't keeping up - neither good and have to be found out and fixed but begin with real voltages,
T
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Apr 10, 2014, 10:13 PM)
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conrail079
New User
Apr 16, 2014, 9:02 AM
Post #7 of 8
(1871 views)
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Re: Battery Light comes on at 70mph
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Thanks everyone for the help... I was pressed for time and took the car to Bell Tire. They replaced
the Alternator and fixed my problem. Verified by a 5 hour drive to Chicago this weeked.
Don
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 16, 2014, 9:21 AM
Post #8 of 8
(1869 views)
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Re: Battery Light comes on at 70mph
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Good to hear it. Both diodes and regulator should be known good on new alternator and it worked so can't argue.
Will close as solved to keep the spammer out,
T
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