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2005 Ford E350 Van/box truck


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ericwalker
User

Feb 16, 2015, 10:00 AM

Post #1 of 8 (1901 views)
2005 Ford E350 Van/box truck Sign In

My alternator may be going - can hear the bearings starting to make noise. Any replacement brand suggestions? Also, can this affect spark plug and boot operation. I get a diagnostic message of plugs 1 and 6 pending, though I replaced them a year ago and have put less than 10k miles on since and, I do not hear any mis-firing..


Tom Greenleaf
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Feb 16, 2015, 11:22 AM

Post #2 of 8 (1890 views)
Re: 2005 Ford E350 Van/box truck Sign In

#1. Are you sure it's alternator bearings and not fooled by something else? Does it charge properly now? If any chance of being wrong on just bearings quick try would be spray the belt and if noise goes away it's the belt if not take it off and spin the alternator for the distinct sound/feel of bad bearing (usually one) and decide if you want to do just the bearing(s) or replace the whole unit.


Brand? When close I choose new vs rebuilt anything. Check prices and warranty of whole new and warranty at the big box parts places even NAPA can compete and usually OK stuff for me.


If replacing do verify pulley on new unit before handing in your old one with pulley or what as some may come without anything.


2. Codes pending and running fine? Is that to say nothing is lit warning you YET? Your call if all is well for now or pull those plugs (I would) and compare to one without showing a problem. If not OE type wrong ones can be the issue and they gotta go especially if some different plug with wild claims of anything get those out for OE now.


Back to alternator: You decide on whether you want to do just bearing(s) or not. Doable for most IMO or if tons of miles on it already just go for new.


Note on bearings: I wouldn't bother if all you can find is Chinese bearings and do ask if you go that route,


T



Discretesignals
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Feb 16, 2015, 1:32 PM

Post #3 of 8 (1883 views)
Re: 2005 Ford E350 Van/box truck Sign In

I recommend Ford Motorcraft's reman alternators.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.


ericwalker
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Feb 17, 2015, 12:24 PM

Post #4 of 8 (1866 views)
Re: 2005 Ford E350 Van/box truck Sign In

Thanks...my mechanic pinpointed the alternator the last time it was in...its old...still charges though. Noise is intermittent at this point.

The check engine light came on. I put continuity on the boots in question...tested fine. My mechanic said he could not find anything wrong at this point as well..


Tom Greenleaf
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Feb 17, 2015, 1:02 PM

Post #5 of 8 (1860 views)
Re: 2005 Ford E350 Van/box truck Sign In

Quote">>my mechanic pinpointed the alternator the last time<<"


That means nothing for THIS time! Take the belt off and know it's that before you waste time and $$ because that's what it was once before - could be another item? Don't guess like that be sure.


Plug boots? What are you doing to test what with those? If needed or failed put a set on. Do they arc when dampened by a mist from a sprayer or what?


Check engine light is on and mechanic couldn't find anything wrong! What was the code or get codes read by a real machine if light is on there's a real hard code waiting for you so post the # it comes up with not a diagnosis yet. Yes, arcing spark out of plug boots would set a code BTW but don't expect it to say spark plug wire boots just that it notices that circuit,


T



ericwalker
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Mar 2, 2015, 4:56 PM

Post #6 of 8 (1808 views)
Re: 2005 Ford E350 Van/box truck Sign In

Thanks for the help: Update: Truck alternator finally seized up - replace with new one plus new tensioner and belt. Still did not solve check engine light though.. This is next on the list to test out. Waiting for weather to break, if not, I will take to my mechanic. Right now the plugs in question are showing a pending status.

Another issue with my 2005 Nissan Xterra - 6 cly, manual trans. Starts fine, sounds fine until I release clutch pedal, I get an additional sound from belts...any thoughts? Vehicle operates fine as of now...


Hammer Time
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Mar 2, 2015, 5:30 PM

Post #7 of 8 (1805 views)
Re: 2005 Ford E350 Van/box truck Sign In

Please start a new question for the other vehicle.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Mar 2, 2015, 11:48 PM

Post #8 of 8 (1796 views)
Re: 2005 Ford E350 Van/box truck Sign In

Top post on truck only ">>My alternator may be going - can hear the bearings starting to make noise. Any replacement brand suggestions? Also, can this affect spark plug and boot operation. I get a diagnostic message of plugs 1 and 6 pending, though I replaced them a year ago and have put less than 10k miles on since and, I do not hear any mis-firing..<<"
**************
eric: You waited for the alternator to seize before doing any tests suggested? Sorry to hear that as it should have been totally obvious what was wrong before allowing that never mind what brand is what you asked.


The relationship of that and codes for cylinders don't or shouldn't have anything to do with each other. If plugs are due then do them. Which engine in this truck?


Unless the alternator blew up, spiked voltages and belt/bearing issue threw bits and parts all over the place it's a separate problem with codes now. Perhaps you should get those checked again and post the #s. One vehicle and better one problem at a time will help target what's up with what.


A new thread for truck on engine light and codes as said it's a different problem if all is well now with alternator,


T







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