battery dash light '91 explorer
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battery dash light '91 explorer
Battery dash light came on the other day, stayed on while driving, voltage dropped to around 10-11 or so on the guage and stays there.
Yesterday the batt light went out while driving, voltage returned to about 13-14, stayed out for 20 miles until truck was shut off.
Today batt light back on, voltage dropped again and stays low. Battery on a charger tonight, needed it. Cleaned battery terminals, topped off battery with distilled water to correct level, did not fix problem.
Where should I look next?
Yesterday the batt light went out while driving, voltage returned to about 13-14, stayed out for 20 miles until truck was shut off.
Today batt light back on, voltage dropped again and stays low. Battery on a charger tonight, needed it. Cleaned battery terminals, topped off battery with distilled water to correct level, did not fix problem.
Where should I look next?
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battery dash light '91 explorer
I checked the 15A fuse in the distribution box (it was fine, no corrosion or other problems). Apparently there is another fuse (in-line?) that may affect the alternator. It is supposed to be near the starter solenoid - I cannot find it - anybody know where it is located?
I'll check the alternator after I am convinced this is not a wiring or fuse issue. The fact that it worked fine just the other day has me confused - sounds like a bad connection somewhere to me...
I'll check the alternator after I am convinced this is not a wiring or fuse issue. The fact that it worked fine just the other day has me confused - sounds like a bad connection somewhere to me...
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battery dash light '91 explorer
Not yet - I know there are 2 fuses, I want to check them first. I found one fuse in the power distribution box. Wiring diagram shows another fuse near the starter, can't locate it though.
Alternator and volt regulator are next.
Alternator and volt regulator are next.
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battery dash light '91 explorer
As far as i can recollect, there are no fuses on the starter, and if there was any kind of circuit protection, it would be a fusible link. I have not ever seen one there, but tonight I am pulling my transmission on my 92 and will look at the wiring on the starter and see if there is a link there.
Hoppy
Hoppy
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battery dash light '91 explorer
Hoppy I believe you are correct - it is a fusible link. What am I looking for? I am not familiar with this. Thanks.
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battery dash light '91 explorer
Chris wins the prize - all fuses and fusable links were fine, something in the alternator was fried. Might have been the voltage regulator, but my guess is brushes or some other internal failure - 185,000 miles on the original alternator. Wanted to make sure it was teh alternator before spending 120 bucks instead of a few dollars for fuses.
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battery dash light '91 explorer
I'm not sure if you bought an alternator yet, but if not, you might want to check autozone.com first. They list a couple of different ones priced from $103 - $165. I suspect the differences are the wiring hookups and amp output. Make sure you bring them the old one... Big core charge!!
Mike
Mike
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battery dash light '91 explorer
Auto Zone was where I bought my rebuilt alternator. Most expensive one you mentioned is a new one - I think that's a waste of cash. Cheapest one is reman with a limited one yr warranty. I got the one in the middle - reman with limited lifetime warranty, about 120-130 bucks with 55 dollar core.
Job took less than 30 minutes once I had the alternator at the house. Disconnect battery, disconnect wires to old alternator, remove snow guard, remove air intake hose from air filter housing and intake manifold, loosen serpentine belt; remove 3 bolts and the old one is off. Bolt new one in place, reposition the belt, connect all wires, reposition air intake hose and snow guard, reconnect battery (after cleaning terminals), done.
Batt light is out, guage is back to normal. Its nice to have power again.
Job took less than 30 minutes once I had the alternator at the house. Disconnect battery, disconnect wires to old alternator, remove snow guard, remove air intake hose from air filter housing and intake manifold, loosen serpentine belt; remove 3 bolts and the old one is off. Bolt new one in place, reposition the belt, connect all wires, reposition air intake hose and snow guard, reconnect battery (after cleaning terminals), done.
Batt light is out, guage is back to normal. Its nice to have power again.
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battery dash light '91 explorer
The brushes that are built into the voltage regulators are prone to "hang up" and not contact the commutator thus causing the charge light/gauge failure to come on <> Go off <> Come On <> Go off
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