Intermittant battery problem (charging)

saline · 11-19-2009, 09:02 AM

So here is the deal. The dash battery light in our 04 PSD SMB flickers on and off all the time, sometimes staying on for several minutes. When it is illuminated the dash gauge shows low voltage and the house battery and the starting batteries are not being charged (checked with a voltage meter). The light flickers very rapidly as if it is a loose connection somewhere. So, where to start? Alternator wiring or starting battery wiring?
Thanks,
Josh

Ford_6L_E350 · 11-19-2009, 10:18 AM

Alternator. Could even be a bad regulator inside the alternator. If the wiring at the battery was loose, the alternator would keep the voltage up.

Mike

Hinkamp · 11-19-2009, 12:14 PM

Yes, I am having similar problems and after combing the forum on these electrical issues, I'm developing a serious case of buyer's remorse. I've had the aternator replaced, two new batteries, new inginition stem, all to fix a problem that came back 130 miles later. Ford is claiming the cabin battery and equipment is causing the problem. I'm claiming Ford miswired something when they changed the alternator.

2004 RB350 Diesel

Ford_6L_E350 · 11-19-2009, 01:44 PM

It is simple enough to disconnect the camper from the van electrical system. The only connection is at the battery separator. Take the large cable from the van off the separator and carefully insulate it. See if the symptoms go away or not.

Mike

Hinkamp · 11-20-2009, 08:36 AM

Thank you for the advice about the "separator." The owner's manual is pretty general about that; where might I find it on an 2004 RB350 Diesel?

Ford_6L_E350 · 11-20-2009, 10:02 AM

Location can vary depending on floorplan. Mine is under the hood, beneath the coolant reservoir.

I've seen them under a couch at the rear of a van.

Mike

Scalf77 · 11-20-2009, 03:29 PM

Also in 2004 SMB went to separator from a isolator. It is possible if you had a early 2004 build that it has a isolator. The link below is for the separator they use, they also sell isolators I believe they have descriptions of both on their web-page

http://www.surepower.com/

Greg

saline · 11-21-2009, 07:55 PM

After checking all the conections today I was unable to find the cause of my intermittant(more like constant) problem. It has to be an issue with the alternator.

John Kalmbach · 11-22-2009, 12:36 AM

One connection that I've found loose before, and causing a similar problem, was on the large cables at the Ford Power Distribution Box under the hood. You have to remove both the large cover and small cover on the box to access the 10mm nuts securing these cables.

May not be the problem, but easy enough to check.

Good Luck!

John K.

saline · 11-22-2009, 06:43 AM

Thanks, I'll give that a check.