Basically I started this thread with the anticipation that I will run into some issues while trying to diagnose my problem, or maybe someone can say exactly what the problem is from the info i provided. I am going to use a volt meter later and test the battery and alt tonight.

A little background info. 97' ranger with 120k miles 4 banger. I was out taking an evening drive on some back roads (dirt and gravel) looking for a good place to take some photos. Anyways i was driving for about an hour or so. Once I got closer back to my residence i noticed that my battery light kept flickering, especially when i stopped or used blinkers. My lights were on and i was running my radio and AC may have been on or off (i forget). I also noticed that the battery power level was below the normal area.

I let the truck sit for a few hours and started it back up to move it to the street. Truck started fine, power level was still below correct level. I have noticed in the past probably 2 or 3 times before that when i start the truck it takes a little to get it started (cranks over and over) but will eventually start. This has only happened a few times as i said and not recently.

The battery is a 3 year warranty battery from wally world and i believe i have owned it for 2 or less years. Im guessing the battery is okay (until i run the tests).

From what little information ive disclosed can anybody make a prediction? Personally i think its the alternator and im hoping thats what it is. I don't want to have other issues such as bad grounds etc etc, but i will also check that.

 

sounds like the voltage regulator is going out on the alt. take it off the truck, take it to the parts store and have it bench tested.

 

Alternator will need to be replaced and probably the battery shortly after. Running your vehicle with the battery only with out getting charged will kill the battery.

 

Thanks guys. Took the alt off had it tested at autozone and it failed the test so a new one it is. Everything seems to be working just fine.

Glad it wasnt a short somewhere that i would have to trace down. That would have been a headache.