2017-2019 Ford 6.7L Powerstroke Charging & Starting Parts

Charging and starting on the 2017-2019 Ford 6.7L Powerstroke

Ford built every diesel Super Duty in this run with two 12-volt batteries, each rated 750 CCA and 78 Ah. Alternator output depends on trim. XL and XLT trucks got a 175-amp unit, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum got 220 amps, and dual alternators rated 332 amps (standard on the Limited) or 377 amps were on the option sheet. The Snow Plow Prep package adds the extra-heavy-duty alternator. Cold starts lean on ceramic glow plugs, one per cylinder, and an engine block heater that was standard where required. For work trucks, Ford also offered six overhead upfitter switches, a 110-volt, 400-watt inverter outlet, idle shutdown timers and Stationary Elevated Idle Control to support charging on the job. The same 6.7L Powerstroke also powers the F-350, F-450 and F-550 chassis cabs at a 330 hp rating, and many of their parts differ from the pickups.

What fails and why

Start with the good news. There is no documented pattern of chronic alternator or starter failure on the 2017-2019 trucks. The recall in this area is the block heater cord. Under NHTSA recall 18V-894, the block heater cable splice on 2017-2019 F-250 through F-550 trucks can take on water, corrode and develop a resistive short with a fire risk. The sign is a melted or overheated cord. Dealers disabled the heater and then replaced the cable, so run your VIN through a recall lookup if you bought the truck used.

The everyday complaint is a hard cold start: long cranking below freezing and white smoke on start-up. That is usually glow-plug related, or corroded battery cables that keep the glow system from working. Long-crank complaints on this engine also trace to rail-pressure loss from the CP4.2 high-pressure pump. Check the glow plugs, both batteries and the cables before you buy a starter.

Stock replacement vs. upgrade

Compare your trim's factory alternator rating with what the truck actually runs. A plow, light bar, winch, inverter or camper adds load to a system that may have left the factory at 175 amps. Ford's own answer was the 220-amp unit or the factory dual-alternator package, which means a second alternator, a bracket and a different belt. The other route is a high-output replacement alternator like the ones on this page.

For batteries, keep the dual system at spec: AGM group-65-class batteries rated at or above 750 CCA, and replace both together. Cables deserve the same attention. Since corroded cables are a cited cause of cold-start trouble, a heavy-duty replacement set is worth doing whenever the old ones show corrosion.

What we carry

This collection covers the charging side, the starting side and the hardware that holds it all down:

• Alternators: the Mean Green MG1627 300-amp high-output alternator and the XDP XD352 HD high-output alternator in wrinkle black.
• Starter: the Mean Green 6696 gear reduction starter.
• Cables and wiring: the XDP XD423 HD replacement battery cable set and Fleece Performance Engineering charging circuit harnesses, with separate part numbers for 2017-2018 and 2019.
• Battery mounting: billet hold-downs from S&B (72-1000), SPE Motorsport (S100166) and No Limit Fabrication (67BH), plus No Limit's passenger-side battery relocation kit for 2017-2019 trucks.
• Shop supplies: Lucas Oil 11238 Sure Start starting fluid. Follow the directions on the can, and remember it does not fix the glow plugs or cables that caused the hard start.

Fitment notes

The alternators, starter and hold-downs are catalogued across wide spans, 2011-2022 or 2011-2024. A few parts are year-specific: the Fleece harness comes as a 2017-2018 part and a separate 2019 part, the XDP cable set is listed for 2017-2022, and the No Limit relocation kit is built for 2017-2019. Single- and dual-alternator trucks use different belts, tensioner routing and brackets. Single-alternator trucks run Motorcraft belt JK-81356 with tensioner BT-130, and dual-alternator trucks use belt JK-81413. If you run an aftermarket intake, battery location matters too: Banks' 41890 keeps the stock battery location, while S&B's 75-5085 repositions the box and battery. Chassis cab trucks differ in many parts, so verify by VIN.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my 6.7L Powerstroke crank so long on cold mornings?

On 2017-2019 trucks, hard cold starts are usually glow-plug related, or caused by corroded battery cables that keep the glow system from working. Long cranking can also come from CP4.2 rail-pressure loss. There is no documented starter failure pattern on these years, so check plugs, batteries and cables first.

What alternator did my Super Duty come with?

It depends on trim and options. XL and XLT got 175 amps, and Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum got 220 amps. Dual alternators rated 332 amps (standard on the Limited) or 377 amps were optional. Open the hood and count: one alternator or two decides which belt, bracket and replacement you need.

Should I replace both batteries at the same time?

Yes. The diesel uses two 12-volt batteries rated 750 CCA and 78 Ah each, and the guidance is to replace both together with AGM group-65-class batteries at or above 750 CCA. Inspect the cables while you are in there, since corroded cables are a cited cause of cold-start trouble.

Is my truck part of the block heater cord recall?

NHTSA recall 18V-894 covers the engine block heater cable on 2017-2019 F-250 through F-550 trucks. Water can get into the cable splice, corrode it and cause a resistive short with a fire risk. A melted or overheated cord is the warning sign. Run your VIN through a recall lookup or ask a Ford dealer whether the replacement cable was installed.

Not sure what fits? Call the shop at the number in the header, or use the fitment checker on any product page. We install everything we sell.