General Technical & Electrical General technical and electrical discussion for the Ford Ranger that does not fit in any other sub-forum.

Turned headlights on = truck dies

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Old 02-01-2008
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Turned headlights on = truck dies

Ok, first off, I drove the truck earlier today and everything ran smoothly. No problems whatsoever. This evening I tried to start it and the battery was dead so I jumped it. Hopped in and turned on the lights and the truck DIED. Only a few idiot lights on the dash were lit. The dome light wouldn't even come on. I'm thinking there is probably a short somewhere in the headlight wiring or a bare wire although I don't know why because the lights worked fine yesterday. It iced all night and rained all day if that might make a difference. Anybody else have a clue? I'm at VT and I don't have my tools or even a place to work except a parking space so the simpler the method the better. Thanks.
 

Last edited by topgun287; 02-01-2008 at 09:39 PM.
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Old 02-01-2008
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That is VERY simalar to what happened to my 05 4banger.

I drove mine the day before, to work, back and around. Parked it in the garage over nite. Went to start it in the morning.. Took a few cranks. Got it running, then flipped the switch for headlamps..and BAM.. heard a pop and truck died.

Jumped it, thought cool, its running.. turned the light back on.. off goes the truck

I had road side tow it into the dealer..and truns out it was a battery and alternator.

Hope that helps
 
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Old 02-01-2008
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I didn't think about that, I'll check it out in the morning. Thanks.
 
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Old 02-01-2008
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EXACT thing happened to mine a few weeks back, just replaced the battery terminals and haven't had a problem. check your connections first..if they're good, go from there.
 
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Old 02-02-2008
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yea when you have a dead batt. and jump it off, your alternator is running at full capacity to try and charge the battery. when you add an additional load to that (turning the headlights on) your alternator just can't handle it and it will kill your truck.
 
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Old 02-03-2008
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Thats exactly what it was...battery was so dead that the alternator couldn't handle the extra load. I replaced the battery and the truck runs great. Thanks to yall that posted.
 
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Old 02-04-2008
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Glad to be of some help!
 
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