The Ford 7.3 Powerstroke engine is one of the most reliable diesel trucks, built to last 400,000 to 500,000 miles. Nonetheless, this engine is prone to various alternator problems over time, even with its long-lasting performance. But what are these 7.3 Powerstroke alternator problems?
The alternator problems in 7.3 Powerstroke engines vary from vehicle to vehicle and usually include wiring issues. Sometimes, the problems could be a faulty voltage regulator, the battery cable getting loose, or the fuse blowing out. You may also find out the drive belt is too tight or loose.
In this blog post, you will find everything there is to know about alternator problems in your Ford 7.3 Powerstroke engine.
6 most Common 7.3 Powerstroke Alternator Problems
The primary function of an alternator is to recharge your 7.3 Powerstroke battery. It also provides all the electrical components in your vehicle with power. Unfortunately, over time, the alternator may experience problems like:
#1- Damaged excite wire
The alternator of your Ford 7.3 Powerstroke engine comprises a complex wiring system, including an exciter wire. This exciter wire produces the voltage the alternator needs to start running. Gradually, this cable may become loose or burned out, causing alternator problems.
#2- Blown fuse
Accordingly, the alternator has a fusible link that may blow out due to excessive current flow or a bad connection. Also, the fuse may blow out due to old age, causing the alternator to stop working.
#3- Worn-out bearings
Additionally, the alternator has rotors that spin around to produce alternating current. These rotors also have ball bearings on the shaft. The bearings help the rotors turn freely. However, they may break down due to heat and dirt exposure, causing alternator issues.
#4- Too loose or tight drive belt
The alternator also features a serpentine belt and pulley system. These two devices help spin the alternator, allowing it to generate enough electrical energy to power your 7.3 Powerstroke engine. Sometimes, the belt may become loose or too tight, which causes the alternator failure.
#5- Loose wiring harness or battery cable
Bad or loose wiring is another alternator problem in the 7.3 Powerstroke engines. If the alternator wiring harness or battery cable is open or damaged, the alternator may suffer from low voltage.
#6- Faulty voltage regulator
The 2000 F250 7.3 Powerstroke voltage regulator is located on the rear side of the alternator. This regulator helps control the alternator’s power to the vehicle’s battery. So a faulty voltage regulator may cause the alternator to undercharge or overcharge the battery.
How To Tell If My 7.3 Powerstroke Alternator Has Problems?
One way to tell if your 7.3 Powerstroke alternator has issues is to manually check the alternator voltage. Using a voltmeter set to DC volts, place the black cable on the battery’s negative terminal and the red cable on the positive terminal.
If you get a reading of 12.5 volts or less at idle, the alternator has problems. Additionally, you could watch out for signs like:
- Dimming or flickering lights
- Dead battery
- Engine light coming on
- Whining or grinding noises from the engine
- Burning rubber smell
- Repeated engine stalling
How to Fix Ford 7.3 Powerstroke Alternator Problems
You could choose to replace the entire alternator or only the faulty components like the belts and voltage regulator. However, the most cost-effective way to solve these problems is to replace the whole unit, and here is how to do it.
- Step 1: Get the right tools
You will need tools like a 10mm wrench, a small flat blade screwdriver, a 1/2-inch drive breaker bar, and a 13mm socket and ratchet.
- Step 2: Disconnect the battery
Get your 13mm socket and disconnect the negative battery cable, so you don’t get sparks.
- Step 3: Take the drive belt off
Next, locate the belt tensioner. The tensioner has a square hole of about half an inch. Slide your 1/2-inch drive breaker bar inside the hole and pull it to loosen the tension of the drive belt. Then, take off the belt.
- Step 4: Remove the alternator
Start by disconnecting the electrical connector on the alternator. You only need to push down the tab on the connector, and it will come off.
Next, disconnect the cable that charges the battery using a 10mm wrench to loosen the bolt. After that, unscrew the remaining bolts on the alternator using a 13mm socket and ratchet. Then, pull out the alternator.
- Step 5: Install the new alternator
To install your new alternator, reverse the removal steps by putting the bolts back on the alternator. Then, put back the charging cable, electrical connector, and belt. Lastly, connect the battery.
Also, check out this video on how to replace the alternator of a 1999 Ford F250 7.3 Powerstroke:
What Happens If You Don’t Fix Alternator Problems?
For starters, the alternator could ruin your vehicle’s perfectly healthy batteries. This means that besides replacing the alternator, you could incur the cost of a new car battery.
Additionally, it can be hard to start the engine if you don’t fix your 7.3 Powerstroke alternator issue immediately. The worst is that your vehicle may become completely unresponsive due to a dead battery.
Will A 7.3 Powerstroke Run If Alternator Has Problems?
Yes. However, your 7.3 Powerstroke with alternator problems can only run for a short period. This is because the alternator charges the battery while the engine is running. So, once the battery dies, your vehicle may refuse to start due to a lack of power.
Generally, your vehicle will run for about 25 to 30 minutes when the alternator has problems. However, this is only if the battery is healthy and fully charged.
frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Without further ado, let’s check out frequently asked questions regarding alternator problems in 7.3 Powerstroke engines.
What is the most common problem with the 7.3 Powerstroke alternator?
It is definitely faulty bearings. The bearings inside the alternator are exposed to a lot of heat and dirt, causing them to break down frequently.
Does the 7.3 Powerstroke alternator fail suddenly?
Sometimes, yes. However, in most cases, you will get several signs to warn you of alternator problems like grinding noises from the engine.
Key Takeaways
Clearly, there are many 7.3 Powerstroke alternator problems to be wary about. The good news is that there are many warning signs to watch out for if you suspect your alternator has issues.
Even better, it is possible to fix these problems by either replacing the alternator or the specific faulty components.
Want more articles like this? Here are other 7.3 powerstroke related articles you might like:
How Much Does It Cost To Upgrade & Bulletproof A 7.3 Powerstroke?
