Just got back from the drive through at Mcdonalds which took f-o-r-v-e-r. My voltage dropped to the "o" and finally the "N" in normal. I gave it some gas and it went back up. The headlights also got a little brighter with gas. On the way home, it read normal and everything was fine. It idled for about 20 min with the lights and heater on. When it started dropping.

 

sounds like a regulator is on the way out. double check you signal wires before you condem it, if she's gone hit autozone for a paladine reman, cheap and its rebuilt using ford parts

 

What is a regulator?

 

sounds like it.

 

Does it come with a pully?

 

the regu;lator is the black box on the back of the alt that the 3 wire connector plugs into, the alt from autozone comes with a lifetime warrenty and the wrong pulley but they will swap it at the store for you

 

Can you replace just the regulator? How long before it leaves me stranded?

 

no way to tell that one, but the reg isnt available seperatly as far as i know. they are cheap and take less then 5 minutes to replace. my advice is check for power then replace it, dont take the risk going into the middle of winter especially if you know you have a problem

 

Can they test my alt? Money is tight right now. We just had a baby girl

 

yes they can load test it. keep in mind that will only show a dead fault, intermittants may not show

 

I would also check to make sure all the connections are clean and no wires are worn. Both of those would give you the same problems you are having, but the alternator is still good. I should know it happened to me.

 

The alt was bad. I had it tested at AutoZone. $155 out the door for it and a Coke for the Wifey. It's getting 14.49 volts at idle.