F350 diesel dually, 1996, 7.6L Powerstroke Turbo, 130,000 mi

PLEASANTCOVEFARM

MEMBER
1996 FORD F-350

Won't start - thought batteries died, but had them checked -- one was dead, the other was fully charged (bought them both at same time 8/2003) from Napa w/75 month warranty. I replaced the dead battery with a new one and reinstalled the other fully charged one. There is a popping noise and spark coming from the negative terminal on the driver's side battery and the truck is not getting "juice" as the open door bell has worn down. Is this possibly an alternator problem?

Friday, September 7th, 2007 AT 9:56 PM

3 Replies

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

Are the cables on right? Is check engine light on?

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Saturday, September 8th, 2007 AT 8:08 AM

CHEVYTRUCKIN365

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11 POSTS

I agree with other guy check if cables are reversed
if door plunger is culprate can be replaced but be prepared for a lot of cursing the way to check alternator is start and pull both positive terminals if it dies alternator is bad just make sure you have a extra pair of hands or some way to positive terminal from arcing on any part of truck

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Monday, September 10th, 2007 AT 11:36 PM

BIGO

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36 POSTS

If its doing it when you try to start it onlyits probably a bad conection on that terminal. Not to argue but the unhook battery trick is not efective on todays cars from my experience. An these new vehicles wont run on alternator alone as ive found this on a few vehicleswith cherry alternators yet died when unhookingbattery.

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Thursday, October 4th, 2007 AT 10:03 PM