Not charging

Tiny
6.0JOED
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 FORD F-250
  • 6.0L
  • V8
  • TURBO
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 193,000 MILES
My batteries were draining overnight so I found that if I unplugged the pigtail on the alternator it was fine. I would just plug it back in when running. I bought a new alternator and installed it and when I plugged the pigtail in it hummed. So I am sending that one back and got a replacement from AutoZone ( alternator was lifetime) when I installed the new one I have nothing. No battery light on the cluster (cluster was rebuilt and I tried another and changed bulb) and when I test the lug on the back of the alternator I have only battery voltage. Yes I am waiting a couple minutes for glow plugs to go off. I also put the one that I ordered back on and it charges but hums key off. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Sunday, November 24th, 2019 AT 1:27 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good evening,

There should be 2 wires with battery voltage. The red and orange wires should have voltage all the time.

I attached a diagram for you to view. Let me know which one is not hot.

Roy
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Sunday, November 24th, 2019 AT 6:10 PM
Tiny
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The wire with the fusible link has power all the time as it goes to the batteries. The other wire gets power when I start the truck.
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Monday, November 25th, 2019 AT 1:02 PM
Tiny
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I have constant power to the wire on the pigtail and when I start the truck I get voltage to the the other wire on the pigtail (the one that goes to the cluster).
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Monday, November 25th, 2019 AT 1:09 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
The orange wire should have power all the time. The red wire should have power all the time as well.

Roy
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Monday, November 25th, 2019 AT 1:10 PM
Tiny
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Correct but the alternators don’t charge. I have two different alternators that I have tried. They have both been tested by three different shops.
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Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 AT 8:58 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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The orange wire is powered externally. It has nothing to do with the alternator itself. It comes from the battery through the fusible links as in the diagram I sent you. When that wire gets voltage, the alternator will work.

Roy
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Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 AT 11:22 AM
Tiny
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The orange wire with blue tracer also has a fuse able link directly to the battery and has power all the time.
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Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 AT 11:30 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Okay, so the orange/blue and the red have power with the truck off?

What about the green/red wire?

Roy
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Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 AT 11:32 AM

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