1986 Ford Ranger 2.9lt
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New User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1
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From: Florida
1986 Ford Ranger 2.9lt
I have a 1986 Ford Ranger 2.9lt My charging light keeps coming on any time I go over 1,000 rpms and it stays on. I just replaced the battery and I have had the alternater checked three times and all times the shop says it is charging ok. The battery keeps going dead by morning. I changed the starter today thinking the starter may be drawning down the battery at night. Put the new starter is in and the charging warning light comes on again at 1,000 rpm's.
Anyone have any ideas? Please help!!!
Anyone have any ideas? Please help!!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,562
Likes: 4
From: South Jersey
1986 Ford Ranger 2.9lt
Welcome to FTE!!!
Charge you battery up with a charger and if it's dead in the morning you have a short to ground someplace. If this happens put an amp meter in line and start pulling fuses untill you find the circuit with the short, then you'll have to pin down the component.
Charge you battery up with a charger and if it's dead in the morning you have a short to ground someplace. If this happens put an amp meter in line and start pulling fuses untill you find the circuit with the short, then you'll have to pin down the component.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 420
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From: Harrisburg USA
1986 Ford Ranger 2.9lt
One of the diodes in the alternator might be "leaking" (a slow low-level short that gradually drains the battery dead, but will still allow adequate charge while running). When you do what Ken said, you could also disconnect the heavy red hot wire from the alternator, and observe if the amp meter suddenly indicates NO DRAW (no current leak or short to ground). If this happens, obviously you'll need a new alternator. They can test good, even while in the early stages of slow death.
New User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 5
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1986 Ford Ranger 2.9lt
I have this same problem on my '88 Super Cab STX backup truck to my '90 B2. everything test good (didn't do that amp test yet thu). The bat light will come on seemingly randomly. some times I can drive it for hours with no problems other times it will come on the first time it goes over 1000 rpm, sometimes it wont do it till its over 2000 rpm. I got a new 90 amp alt for it since I want to upgrade the lights and radio anyhow so I'll keep everyone posted as to if it fixed it or not.
