Battery/Idling/Random Issues. PLEASE help, i really need someones expertise

[Rebel]

So quick history.

2001 Ranger 2WD 2.3L

Had a few issues with the batter connections, corrosive etc. Replaced the terminals. Still had issues.

Friend replaced the battery and accidentally got one that was reverse terminal...hooked it up and all my stuff went crazy, windsheild wipers on when shouldnt etc. Had him disconnect it immediately. Found it to be wrong and replaced with a new correct battery....three days later i got stranded in a parking lot and had to get a jump...next day i was driving and my truck just slowly died...the abs light came on, then the airback light....slowly allt he components lost battery until my truck just died. Found it to be an issue with the alternator...had it replaced. Replaced the battery again just to make sure. Had no issues for about 2 weeks. Got in it to leave the other day and NOTHING, its completely dead, no battery charge at all. Turn the key and nothing.

Gave it a jump to get it going and it will stay on but i am having Idling issues. it drops below 500rpms and struggles to keep the engine running.

Took it back to the shop to have them test it. Alternator is good and replaced battery because they thought it might have a bad cell...said the idling could be related to that.

After the new battery its still doing the same thing, idling weird. Replaced the Idle Air Control Valve yesterday...no change, still has issues idling.

This morning i went to go to work and bam...DEAD BATTERY. What is going on ?

 

[Earl43P]

Check the Megafuse in the underhood fusebox.
Alternator is NOT charging the battery. That's the problem. Hooking the battery up backwards probably fried it.

 

[Rebel]

So, i had my truck at the shop for them to do a draw test. They found an issue with the ground cabling, replaced the alternator again, said it was faulty.

The idling, he said my AC Compressor is trying to lock up and causing the stalling, is the the case ? also is there a way to fix the compressor without having to replace it. They are quoting 600

 

[BlackBII]

Rather than continue to pay a shop to quote you silly things so they can make money off of you...

Unplug the electrical connection on the AC compressor (which will prevent it from activating the clutch), and see if it continues to have problems idling. The AC can put a load on the engine to drop the idle some, but it should not be stalling the motor.

Does it always idle at 500 rpm?

 

[Rebel]

So, everything has been resolved.

I have my family mechanic look at it and he found the issue.

The AC Compressor did have to be replaced but it was due to the AC Compressor relay being messed up causing the Compressor to be on at all times....thus killing the battery all the time.

I was able to swap the Windshield wiper sprayer relay for the ac relay until i can get the part, everyone seems to have to special order it.


Thanks for all your help ! Its all appreciated