Battery light on in cab, slow starter...

Hey all,


Finally got my truck out of limp mode, the new teca did the trick. Now I've got a few more issues to work through. My battery light in the cab is on, and my starter is acting slow. I was driving around town late last night trying to get my hands on some fuses and every time I started back up after parking it it started slower. My blinkers are slow also, which I believe is an indicator of alternator troubles? I'll test the alternator tonight, but I'm curious if anyone has any other ideas?

While I was trying to fix limp mode my battery started draining overnight every night so I had it on the charger a lot. I checked fuses and fuse 1 had power to both sides with the key off, so I think that means that circuit was the one draining the battery? Now it just seems like the alternator doesn't charge it. I had it on the charger last night so I can check the alternator today after school. Any ideas or suggestions?

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I had the exact same symptoms and after 3 alternators it turned out to be the voltage regulator. So try the voltage regulator due to it being a cheaper and an alternator.

How can I tell how many amps my alternator is?

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There are so many knowledgeable people on this site, I rarely have the opportunity to offer legitimate advice. Therefore, As I clear my throat while stepping up to the podium, ugh, hum. Armed with my newly acquired knowledge (thanks to folks on this forum) allow me to state this in aloud and clear voice, Do the 3 g swap! It's like comparing a zippo with rubbing sticks together. It's really a nice swap and far superior to factory original.

To be honest I have no idea what you mean by the '3g swap', but I will most definitely look into it. For now, however, I have another question...

This here is a picture of my voltage regulator that was in my truck (I just removed it so that I can put the newly aquired shiny one in) and it does appear as though it could be the culprit that has been messing with my trucks abililty to charge and maintain a charge. My question is: On the regulator in the plastic above the wire there that, as you can see isn't and likely wasn't making a very good connection, if any at all, the letter 'A' is printed. Does that by any chance mean that that wire runs to the alternator? To add to that question, what is that little plug that splices off the main wire? I have never seen that plugged into anything, and couldn't find any other connector that might attach to it. I wouldn't be surprised if that voltage regulator was on its last leg and my recent digging around over there finally broke that connection, but I am still curious why that little connector has never caused any problems due to the fact that it does connect to anything.

Also, does anyone happen to have a part number for that connector there?


EDIT I found it on the oreilleys website, but the one they have in the picture shows 6 wires coming out of it and mine only had 5, does that mean i need to find a different one?

3g swap eliminates the voltage regulator and that wiring harness.

Here is a picture of that connector from off the NAPA website, and here is show two wires that correspond to the 's' terminal on the voltage regulator. The connector in the truck only has one wire coming out of that terminal. What do I do with that extra wire?

I believe you'll find that the "3G swap" refers to replacing your alternator with a 3G model found on some other Ford vehicles. It's apparently a better alternator, puts out more power. I think there is a write-up about this in the Tech Articles which you will find at the top of this forum.

Crimp a butt connector on the end of the wire. Bonus is the next owner gets to ask what that butt connector is for.

Ya just use crimp on connectors for now to see of that fixes it. Your regulator is likely ok. Your alternator is rated @70A.