When you are driving your Ford F-150 truck and the "Volts" warning light illuminates on the instrument panel, it is an indicator that the pickup's alternator is failing. You may think the issue is just your battery, but if you get your truck jump-started and it goes dead again, then it is most likely the alternator. You can replace the alternator yourself with a few tools and a little know-how.
Open and prop the hood on your Ford F-150. While standing in front of the propped up hood, locate the battery on the front right side of the engine bay and the alternator on the front center part of the engine bay.
Locate the tension pulley below the alternator. Fit the correct-size wrench on the center nut of the tension pulley and push away from the belt. Slip the belt off the alternator's pulley.
Loosen and remove the clamp holding the black cable to the negative post on the battery. Loosen and remove the bolt holding the other end of the black cable to the alternator with the proper-size wrench.
Loosen and remove the bolt holding the red cable to the alternator with the proper-size wrench.
Squeeze the tab on the electrical sensor connected to the top of the alternator and pull it off.
Loosen and remove the two bolts holding the alternator to the F-150 engine frame. Be careful to not let the alternator drop as you remove these bolts, as you might bend a bolt.
