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  1. #1
    Junior Member
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    Feb 2017
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    2004 F150 (new style) battery light on and hub engagement at the same time

    So this is a wierd one. Hoping someone has seen this. Battery light comes on while driving. It is overcharging. If I turn the heater fan up light goes out. Gauge returns to normal and hubs start ratcheting. Turn fan down the light comes on, gauge goes high, and hubs stop ratcheting. I stopped and disconnected the electricial connector for the vacuum solenoind for the hubs. Problem seemed to go away. Hub engagement has been a issue in the past. Ratcheting while driving. Alternator is new. Battery is new. Changed both of them for other reasons. Thinking maybe a ground somewhere. I want to trade the truck but can't until spring. Please help!!
    Thanks

  2. #2
    Senior Member
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    Oct 2012
    Name
    Ryan
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    It sounds like you have a defective Voltage Regulator. The alternator may be fine, but its attached voltage regulator isn't kicking in properly to limit the voltage. Have your charging systems test immediately before you burn out your electrical system. The hubs engaging was probably due to the extra surge in your electrical system and it aggravated an existing problem in your truck by trying to engage the hubs.
    Last edited by RhinoZ24; 02-04-2017 at 06:23 PM.

  3. #3
    Junior Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by RhinoZ24 View Post
    It sounds like you have a defective Voltage Regulator. The alternator may be fine, but its attached voltage regulator isn't kicking in properly to limit the voltage. Have your charging systems test immediately before you burn out your electrical system. The hubs engaging was probably due to the extra surge in your electrical system and it aggravate am existing problem in your truck by trying to engage the hubs.
    Thanks for the reply. This is the third alternator. One jobber and 2 motorcraft. Since my original post I have found where others have had the same issue. Nobody has come up with a fix. Also have replaced the battery twice.

  4. #4
    Senior Member
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    Oct 2012
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    Ryan
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    Quote Originally Posted by 1863 View Post
    Thanks for the reply. This is the third alternator. One jobber and 2 motorcraft. Since my original post I have found where others have had the same issue. Nobody has come up with a fix. Also have replaced the battery twice.
    Stick with Motorcraft am make sure it's the right Amperage alternator for your truck, as in what came stock with it. Ford had both 110A and 130A options in your years. Keep what came with it. Having the proper current for your trucks needs will keep the voltage in correct levels as well. Have your charging and electrical system checked, could be a short or rotted wire causing the alternators to keep failing.

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