Battery light 96 Ranger

[Big John Hance]

Yesterday when I started my truck, the red battery light came on in the dash. I looked it up in the owners manual and it says it is because the battery isn't being charged and I should have the electrical system checked immediately. I'm going to go to Auto Zone today to have them check the alternator, but in the mean time I have a question. I've started the truck 4 or 5 times since the light came on and I've driven about 25 miles. I've also used my stero at pretty high volumes (it's only a 400watt amp). The battery charge gauge hasn't moved. It's still at about 1/4 full. If the alternator wasn't working properly wouldn't the battery be dead by now? I just replaced this battery last month.

[Big John Hance]

Well I'll be damned. I just went out there getting ready to go to Auto Zone, and now the light is off and the battery gauge is back in the middle where it always was. I know I didn't leave anything on that would drain the battery so I wonder what caused that?

[Big John Hance]

Hmm, just had this problem again the other day. Same truck as before. I discovered that the DPFE sense is probably the cause. It makes the truck idle weird so the alternator won't charge correctly. It costs over $150, so I'm just putting up with it.