Alternator or Battery problem
#1
Alternator or Battery problem
I just noticed that when my truck is running and I turn my headlights on, the idle drops quite a bit. Does this sound more like an alternator or a battery not putting out enough juice?
I know it could be both, so I was wondering what they do when they test alternators/batteries at auto zone, advance, whatever. Does the alternator have to be off the truck for a test?
I know it could be both, so I was wondering what they do when they test alternators/batteries at auto zone, advance, whatever. Does the alternator have to be off the truck for a test?
#4
#6
#9
Could be bad bearings in the alternator, any squealing coming from the belt? You need at least 9 -10 volts for the computer to do it's thing if your voltage drops below that your motor will start doing weird things like bucking and stalling with lose of power. I would definitely suspect the alternator. What voltage are you getting when the engine is off? When the engine is running? should be close to 12 volts off and 14.2-14.5 when engine is running. Also do a load test on the electrical system to see if the alternator is making the correct amps.
God luck!
God luck!
#10
how much dropping are you getting when headlights are engaged...a slight drop 100-(maybe)200 is ok but more than that and you have serious Amperage problems. In a ranger..and this is universal..if the alternator is 100% shot then the truck will run straight off battery and once it is out you have to power. <-- that may sound redundant but people still dont understand..not you OP youre good. I would get the alternator double tested at diff shops for confidence sake and amp that battery up to a bigger cell size. makes a world of difference
#11
#13
Alternator and battery checked out good. 14.4 under load. Took it out for another drive today and there were no problems. Got it up to 65 without anything. I just picked up a coil pack to throw in later tonight. Keeping my fingers crossed. The hood has been open more than closed lately, really sick of it.
#16
Put the coil in it today, took it for a drive and it did the no go over 45 again. Started leaning towards a possible trans. problem. But, when I pulled over and shut the truck off for a few seconds, then started it back up, it drove fine. I am going to swap out my autolite double plats for some motorcrafts to rule them out. Don't know where to go next. Fuel pressure? Fuel pump? Swap out the computer? I'm just going to have to break down and take it in I guess.
#17
Wirelessly posted
I wouldn't completely trust the read outs from autozone while it is still installed on the truck. I recently thought my wifes car had a bad alternator, batt light on and lights dimming and very hot alt, so I took it there. Everything checked out fine. Drove it one more day and her lights died, wipers moved slow, air bag light, abs light and batt light came on. Changed the alt and all is well now.
I wouldn't completely trust the read outs from autozone while it is still installed on the truck. I recently thought my wifes car had a bad alternator, batt light on and lights dimming and very hot alt, so I took it there. Everything checked out fine. Drove it one more day and her lights died, wipers moved slow, air bag light, abs light and batt light came on. Changed the alt and all is well now.
#19
#20
Wirelessly posted
I wouldn't completely trust the read outs from autozone while it is still installed on the truck. I recently thought my wifes car had a bad alternator, batt light on and lights dimming and very hot alt, so I took it there. Everything checked out fine. Drove it one more day and her lights died, wipers moved slow, air bag light, abs light and batt light came on. Changed the alt and all is well now.
I wouldn't completely trust the read outs from autozone while it is still installed on the truck. I recently thought my wifes car had a bad alternator, batt light on and lights dimming and very hot alt, so I took it there. Everything checked out fine. Drove it one more day and her lights died, wipers moved slow, air bag light, abs light and batt light came on. Changed the alt and all is well now.
#21
#22
dose your voltage gauge work right? my friends blazer stopped charging al together and the alt and batter tested good and then found out that it was the gauge not reading since it doesn't charge until it reads twelve volts i would imagine that your problem could be a sign of the gauge going out, i'll ask my friend and see if he noticed anything like that before it went out.
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