Charging issue
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 52
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Charging issue
Hey folks,
My vehicle is a '96 2.3L Ranger w/ 185,000 miles. Stock vehicle, meaning there is nothing that needs power.
I have replaced the battery this week after it left me on the side of the road and the parts store said it wasn't holding a charge. The battery was 6yo.
Now, the battery gauge on the dash is registering rather low and the battery light stays on. Once I get into higher rpms the battery gauge jumps up to where it seems was the nomal range, the light goes out and my headlights become brighter.
There was a fair amount of corrosion on the cables and posts of the old battery and I have since cleaned the cables as much as possible with H2SO4 battery cleaner & acid detector. Cables are stock.
My alternator was replaced in '01.
My question to you guys is where to start?
thanks in advance
My vehicle is a '96 2.3L Ranger w/ 185,000 miles. Stock vehicle, meaning there is nothing that needs power.
I have replaced the battery this week after it left me on the side of the road and the parts store said it wasn't holding a charge. The battery was 6yo.
Now, the battery gauge on the dash is registering rather low and the battery light stays on. Once I get into higher rpms the battery gauge jumps up to where it seems was the nomal range, the light goes out and my headlights become brighter.
There was a fair amount of corrosion on the cables and posts of the old battery and I have since cleaned the cables as much as possible with H2SO4 battery cleaner & acid detector. Cables are stock.
My alternator was replaced in '01.
My question to you guys is where to start?
thanks in advance
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
From: Beaver, Pennsylvania
1. Make sure the belt is ok -- tight and not slipping
2. Even though you replaced the alt, in 01 -- Have it tested -- your local auto patts store should be able to test it on the truck.
2. Even though you replaced the alt, in 01 -- Have it tested -- your local auto patts store should be able to test it on the truck.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
It's probably your alternator. Although the alternator CAN put out.. let's say.. 100 amps.. it's only able to produce 85% of that amount consistently without burning up... so in essence.. producing more than 85 amps consistantly will cause your alternator to "burn up".
When you have a bad battery, the alternator is forced to work as hard as possible to try to recharge that battery.. forcing it to run on 100% output all the time.
In other words, your battery burned up the alternator. I've seen it many, many times.
When you have a bad battery, the alternator is forced to work as hard as possible to try to recharge that battery.. forcing it to run on 100% output all the time.
In other words, your battery burned up the alternator. I've seen it many, many times.
Last edited by MazdaRangerGuyInSTL; Nov 10, 2006 at 09:00 PM.
