Charging System
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Joined: Sep 2006
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Charging System
Hey guys, my ranger power died on me and I am stumped on what the cause could be. I replaced the alternator about 6 months ago. Then about 2 weeks ago my ranger died. The battery was fine and I got the alternator tested and it was dead so Murrays replaced it for me. So, I replaced the alt and charged up the battery and everything was fine and I was driving it for a week when it suddenly again just died. So I did the same thing as before and got it replaced again thinking it was a bad alt.
well now it died again and I assume that there was an larger issue that caused it to go out 2 weeks ago. When I installed, the battery was always charged with a brand new alt. I spun all the pulleys and they all turned easily except for the one that controls the power steering. It was not easilyor smoothly turned. I dont know if its supposed to be that way. The belt looks fine. Also, I get the battery warning on my dash as well as the check engine light.
What do you guys think could be causing this?
well now it died again and I assume that there was an larger issue that caused it to go out 2 weeks ago. When I installed, the battery was always charged with a brand new alt. I spun all the pulleys and they all turned easily except for the one that controls the power steering. It was not easilyor smoothly turned. I dont know if its supposed to be that way. The belt looks fine. Also, I get the battery warning on my dash as well as the check engine light.
What do you guys think could be causing this?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: northern Illinois
One time I got seven alternators that did not last a week each. Then I got a refund and went to a local electric shop and had it rebuilt. That one laster me 2 years, and I hear it's still kicking. Those reman alternators are mostly garbage, you can keep swapping them untill you get a good one if you want. I always get mine rebuilt locally or buy a new oem one now.
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No, it seems to be fine when the car is running, it draws enough charge and no warning lights come on. But then a week later it won't start, the starter is going (clicking) and the battery is giving it juice but it just wont start.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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check the battery again, you can have it load tested at most auto parts places for free. a low cell in the battery could be part of your problem. To test it yourself charge it up then turn your headlights on for about 30 seconds to take off the surface charge, then check voltage with a good volt meter. It should read about 12.8 volts for a good battery 12.2 or lower I would look into replacing it. The check your alt using the volt meter at the battery ad see what it's charging at should be somewhere around 14 volts. Good luck
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
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From: SW Va
I'd do as Ranger Pilot suggested & take the vehicle to your favorite autoparts store & have them do a in vehicle, electrical system check up, with their portable electrical system load tester.
It can properly check all the electrical system components, right in the vehicle, so if any are misbehaving, it'll ikely spot them.
It'll also be able to monitor for any excessive parasitic electrical drain, like shorted or leaky alternator diodes, shorted battery cells, stuck on courtesy lights, or some acting out aftermarket addon's, ect, ect.
Let us know what you find.
It can properly check all the electrical system components, right in the vehicle, so if any are misbehaving, it'll ikely spot them.
It'll also be able to monitor for any excessive parasitic electrical drain, like shorted or leaky alternator diodes, shorted battery cells, stuck on courtesy lights, or some acting out aftermarket addon's, ect, ect.
Let us know what you find.
