08ranger2.3l
New Member
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2013
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
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- Vehicle Year
- 2008
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Transmission
- Manual
Hi Guys, I am hoping some of you can chime in on a problem I am having. I have tried searching the forum but have not been able to find a solution.
Truck Info:
2008 Ranger XLT
Super cab, 2 door
2wd, Manual trans
2.3L Duratech
182XXX miles
Purchased used 6 months ago
Short version:
Step1: My alternator went bad, it would only charge after revving over 3000 RPM. No alternator light was on.
Step2: Replaced with refurbished alternator from Advanced auto. It then would charge, but the alternator light was on. Was told that it was probably overcharging.
Step3: Replaced with a new refurbished alternator from Advanced Auto. Same deal as the first one: was charging, but the alternator light was on.
Step4: Returned alternator to Advanced, replaced with a refurbished unit from Performance Auto. This one does not charge and the alternator light is on. Took the alternator to the parts place and it tests good.
Step5: Ohmed all of the wiring from the regulator plug to the fuse box (two wires), the ground from the block to the battery, and the charging wire from the alternator to the battery. All checks out OK.
I am at a loss and do not know what to do now. I thought that perhaps one of the great guys at TRS could shed some light on it for me....
If you want the in-depth story, here is a short book about the situation:
About 3 months ago I started to notice a charging problem. The alternator would not kick in and charge unless I would rev the engine to over 3000rpm. I ran some leads into the cab and hooked up an analog multimeter so i could watch and see when the alternator would kick in. The alternator/charging light never came on. The previous owner had mentioned that he had just replaced the alternator about 2 months before i bought it.
I continued to drive the truck like this for a couple of weeks until i had the time to replace it.
I purchased a refurbed alt. from Advanced Auto Parts and swapped it out. I started the truck, the alternator immediately kicked in and was putting out 14.8V. I thought "Great!" until i noticed the alternator/charging light was on... I made a couple of calls to my mechanic buddies and they said it is not uncommon to get a bad refurb and it was probably over charging, causing the light to come on. I pulled the alternator back out, called Advanced and had them order me another one.
The new alternator came in, i returned the one that was causing the light to come on, and proceeded to install the second refurbed alternator. This alternator had the same problem as the other. When i went to pick this one up, i had the guy at Advanced put both the one i brought back and the new one on the tester. They both made voltage, which is all the tester looks for to determine if it is Good or Bad. The guy did admit that it does not check to make sure the regulator is working or not.
By this time i am very frustrated. I pull the alternator out again, returned it for a full refund plus my core, and went to the other auto parts place in town (Performance Auto) who carries an alternate brand. The ensured me that this brand completely rebuilds the alternators, including replacing the regulator. This is why they carry that specific brand. I take it home, install it, and get absolutely nothing from it. It does not charge and the light is still on. I pulled it out again, took it to advanced and had them test it. It makes voltage on their tester.
I am now at a loss. I do not know if i should pull it out and get another replacement, or cut my losses and take it to the dealer. I have ohmed out the regulator plug to the fuse box, the block to the neg. battery terminal, and the positive battery terminal to the wire that connects to the charging post on the alternator and they all check out good.
I apologize for the book, but i thought it was better to give you all of the info up front.
Thanks for any help you guys can give, you are awesome!
Truck Info:
2008 Ranger XLT
Super cab, 2 door
2wd, Manual trans
2.3L Duratech
182XXX miles
Purchased used 6 months ago
Short version:
Step1: My alternator went bad, it would only charge after revving over 3000 RPM. No alternator light was on.
Step2: Replaced with refurbished alternator from Advanced auto. It then would charge, but the alternator light was on. Was told that it was probably overcharging.
Step3: Replaced with a new refurbished alternator from Advanced Auto. Same deal as the first one: was charging, but the alternator light was on.
Step4: Returned alternator to Advanced, replaced with a refurbished unit from Performance Auto. This one does not charge and the alternator light is on. Took the alternator to the parts place and it tests good.
Step5: Ohmed all of the wiring from the regulator plug to the fuse box (two wires), the ground from the block to the battery, and the charging wire from the alternator to the battery. All checks out OK.
I am at a loss and do not know what to do now. I thought that perhaps one of the great guys at TRS could shed some light on it for me....
If you want the in-depth story, here is a short book about the situation:
About 3 months ago I started to notice a charging problem. The alternator would not kick in and charge unless I would rev the engine to over 3000rpm. I ran some leads into the cab and hooked up an analog multimeter so i could watch and see when the alternator would kick in. The alternator/charging light never came on. The previous owner had mentioned that he had just replaced the alternator about 2 months before i bought it.
I continued to drive the truck like this for a couple of weeks until i had the time to replace it.
I purchased a refurbed alt. from Advanced Auto Parts and swapped it out. I started the truck, the alternator immediately kicked in and was putting out 14.8V. I thought "Great!" until i noticed the alternator/charging light was on... I made a couple of calls to my mechanic buddies and they said it is not uncommon to get a bad refurb and it was probably over charging, causing the light to come on. I pulled the alternator back out, called Advanced and had them order me another one.
The new alternator came in, i returned the one that was causing the light to come on, and proceeded to install the second refurbed alternator. This alternator had the same problem as the other. When i went to pick this one up, i had the guy at Advanced put both the one i brought back and the new one on the tester. They both made voltage, which is all the tester looks for to determine if it is Good or Bad. The guy did admit that it does not check to make sure the regulator is working or not.
By this time i am very frustrated. I pull the alternator out again, returned it for a full refund plus my core, and went to the other auto parts place in town (Performance Auto) who carries an alternate brand. The ensured me that this brand completely rebuilds the alternators, including replacing the regulator. This is why they carry that specific brand. I take it home, install it, and get absolutely nothing from it. It does not charge and the light is still on. I pulled it out again, took it to advanced and had them test it. It makes voltage on their tester.
I am now at a loss. I do not know if i should pull it out and get another replacement, or cut my losses and take it to the dealer. I have ohmed out the regulator plug to the fuse box, the block to the neg. battery terminal, and the positive battery terminal to the wire that connects to the charging post on the alternator and they all check out good.
I apologize for the book, but i thought it was better to give you all of the info up front.
Thanks for any help you guys can give, you are awesome!