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OK, so Eric at Hotshot delivers deuce today and it has NO gauges or lights working

S

Sevensteps

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Eric from Hotshot did the delivery from Forest Park to central Tennessee, (fine job I might add..I highly recommend him).

Once the truck was ready to unload, the batteries will not do anything, so we pull started it...Eric had to pull start it at Forest Park...Truck ran and drove fine once started.

It was now just past dusk and we went to turn the lights on and have ZERO lights anywhere....No headlights, taillights, dash lights or even gauges except for the tach.

Is this a dead battery issue or a weak alternator issue? I would have thought that once the truck was running, the alternator would have powered the lights and gauges?

Any advice?.. I have read the associated TM's on this site and they didn't specifically address this issue?
 
mkcoen

mkcoen

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We had the same problem with a truck I helped Green_Gator pick at in San Antonio. If the batts are dead enough they don't retain enough amperage for the lights to work even with the truck running. Swap in a couple of WallyWorld specials and you'll probably be good to go.
 
The Janiter

The Janiter

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Once these trucks start they need no elect. to run.

There is a wiring diagram in the Electrical section of the web site that is good to have - it even shows were the circuit breakers are. (on the fire wall inside the cab and in the engine compartment)

Then just do a complete elec. check after you change batteries.
 
dittle

dittle

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My 2nd truck had the same issue that yours had. No gauges, lights or anything. Put new batteries in it and everything came alive in the truck. Do the batteries before you tear into the truck since you know it has dead batteries already.
 
RANDYDIRT

RANDYDIRT

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When I picked up my 109 it was missing the dogbone (wire between the batts). It would jump-start and everything worked as long as it was running...... Just a thought....:driver:
 
Last edited:
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stumps

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RANDYDIRT said:
When I picked up my 109 it was missing the dogbone (wire between the batts). It would jump-start and everything worked as long as it was running...... Just a thought....:driver:
Click to expand...
If you jump-start (using external batteries), the alternator has the jump battery to provide the current necessary to build a field, and start making power.... and it will continue to regulate and make power as long as the jump battery is connected.

When the jump battery is removed, sometimes the alternator will continue to make power.... but most of the time the high voltage surge made when the jump battery is disconnected will make the regulator think a serious over voltage condition exists (It does!), and the regulator will switch off the field current, and the alternator will stop producing power.

And, if you are really unlucky, that high voltage surge will blow out some instruments, radios, lights, or even your alternator/regulator.

If you pull start, and you have no, or really dead, batteries, the alternator will do nothing. No field current leads to no output power, no instruments, no lights...

Before you make any quick judgments about your electrical system's health, put some good batteries in your truck and see what happens... I'll bet you will be pleasantly surprised.

-Chuck
 
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