Hey guys... I need some help.

About a week ago my battery light came on but it won't stay on. When my truck is idling the light is usually off but while I am driving it blinks on and off sporatically, never staying on for more than 2 or 3 minutes.

I was having trouble getting my truck started in the mornings and evenings a couple of weeks ago. The ignition solenoid was clicking but nothing was happening. I used a screwdriver to jump the leads on it and my truck started. I thought it was the ignition solenoid but this trick didn't always start the truck. I checked the starter motor and solenoid and both were working fine. The battery held a steady 12V potential when the truck was off and ramped up to 15+V when I turned on the truck. Everything fine here including alternator. I also checked the voltage regulator which is working fine. So I cleaned all the electrical leads on the starter, ignition solenoid, battery, all grounds, and checked for shorts under the engine.

Now my truck starts fine every time but the battery light is still blinking in my face every day. I don't have a code reader so I can't pull the codes and I am on very limited funds so I don't want to have to take it to the garage for something that I can fix myself..... if I knew what it was.

Anyone have any ideas what could be causing this?

 

15+ volts is too high. Hook up your voltmeter in the cab and test drive it. Maybe it is blinking because the voltage is too high.

 

What year and engine is in your rig? Sounds like faulty voltage regulator or alternator or both.


Larry
1996 Ranger XLT Ext Cab 4x4 4.0L

 

The voltage should be about 14-not 15. That may be the problem. Check it again at the battery with a digital voltmeter.

 

my 97 ranger had a similar problem. the battery light would "blink" when I accelerated, and after a couple of months, the alternator quit. New alternator, No problems, and it even runs better and shifts better.







97 ranger 2.3l, automatic

 

It's a 95 2.3L. The one with eight plugs.

Well, the battery light never showed up for a couple of days and now it is back blinking again.

According to my Haynes Manual the battery should rise only 3 V when started. Mine rises just a little more than that. I got my alternator rebuilt only a year ago cause it blew a bearing. I hope it isn't that. There are a bunch of steps to follow for checking the wiring in my book that I will try the weekend.

How much does a voltage regulator cost? Is there much involved in replacing one?

Thanks for the input.

 

You should be able to replace the regulator but also replace the brushes while you have it out. It might be worth the effort to try and find a used alternator. The regulator is held in place by 4 torx screws, and the brushes will also come out. There is a small hole (paperclip size) to put a paperclip or wire in to hold the brushes in place when you put the new one on. Since you have 15+ the alternator is working. It almost certainly is the regulator.

 

Thanks for the help hreed. I'll pick up a regulator this week and see what I can do with it this weekend. I'll let you guys know how it works out. Or don't work out.

 

Ok, now I am getting frustrated. My battery light hasn't come on in days. Not that this is a bad thing but I wish it would make up its mind. Is there a problem or isn't there??!! If the light was on and stayed on I could at least pinpoint the problem (if there is one).

Anyway, I won't replace anything (ie: voltage regulator) until my truck makes up its mind.