Battery light on after alternator change

[JeffRH]

I just cahnged to alternator on my 1999 Ranger 4.0 4x4 automatic. I cahrged the batter. The battery idiot light is on. My battery charger said 100%. The battery is 1 year old Interstate. I plan to take it to them tomorrow to have it re-checked. Could I have hooked something up wrong on the alternator? Don't see how. The small plug that goes back in the altenator under the larger plug connector does not stay in easy. The plastic secure mechanism at the bottom of the small plug is not grabbing. Could this be a problem?
JeffRH

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

sounds like either a bad connection or a defective alternator.

 

[JeffRH]

There are 2 wire connectors that go into the altenator (not counting one from the battery). There is a larger one that "click" when I push it in. Then there is smaller one that I had trouble getting out of the old altenator. The small one will not "click" and hold in place, Could this be the problem? What is that wire connection called? Can I just splice another one in it's place? ROOKIE HERE!

 

[oldjohnny]

Are you positive you have the right alternator? I don't have much knowledge about alternators, but I have swapped one from an explorer (1st Gen). The guys at Autozone gave me the wrong one. How did I know? Well, when I got home, the alternators were the same, the only problem was it wouldn't bolt on.

 

[JeffRH]

They looked identical. It bolted on perfectly.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

IIRC, one of the connections at the alternator is a 1/4" spade terminal, this wont click when connected, it just relies on friction to hold it there.

a voltmeter on the battery while you wiggle the wires and mess with the connections will help you track down which connection is causing the problem.

 

[dirtsquirt]

I just cahnged to alternator on my 1999 Ranger 4.0 4x4 automatic. I cahrged the batter. The battery idiot light is on. My battery charger said 100%. The battery is 1 year old Interstate. I plan to take it to them tomorrow to have it re-checked. Could I have hooked something up wrong on the alternator? Don't see how. The small plug that goes back in the altenator under the larger plug connector does not stay in easy. The plastic secure mechanism at the bottom of the small plug is not grabbing. Could this be a problem?
JeffRH

poor connection, bad cell in the battery, belt is not tight enough. ( or ) part is shit out of the box, seen that before!!

 

[wanebell]

JeffRH,

That small connector is the problem. That connection supplies the reference voltage to the voltage regulator. If it is loose it will cause the charge indicator to light up. If you had trouble removing it from the old alternator you most likely damaged it. Like Wicked said, it's a 1/4" spade. Cut it off and splice on a new one.