Battery Light

[backroad101]

So, about a week ago, my battery light came on when the truck downshifted to pass someone on the highway. Once it upshifted the light turned off. Was fine after that.

Then yesterday, similar situation. Fine for 5 min drive to highway, getting on highway it either stayed on or flickered the whole 10 minute drive home. Same thing this morning except it was on when I started the truck and turned off before I got to work. No other performance issues other than the light being on. I am running the heat, radio and XM Radio reciever. Fog light might have been on but i don't think so as every time the sun was still out.

Looking through the rercords the previous owner gave me,

*Battery replaced: Dec 2009 he said in ad, but did not find receipt. Only
record I found was Oct 2005 @ 66k miles Looks clean and doesn't look like
a name brand battery.
*Belt and tensioner: April 2004 @ 52k miles
*Belt again: April 2008 @ 88k miles
*Alternator: No record, assuming it's original.

Now my guess would be the alternator is going bad but wanted to see what you guys thought. Truck is at 102k miles

 

[modelageek]

I would start off by replacing the belt with a goodyear gatorback belt. if you have a multimeter test the battery with the engine off. should be 12.5v test battery with engine idling should be 14v. if you have an ammeter you can check for amps.

 

[Spowerback]

14.4 on engine and 13.9 on engine with full open .tcheak the battery 12.4v+ off engine /belt replacement crack or loose ...multimeter test the battery

 

[Spowerback]

disconect a few time ( 15 times ) battery to erase codes light

 

[2004RangerFX4]

Mine just did the same thing, I replaced the alternator and all is good in the world!

 

[backroad101]

Gonna stop by OReilly's on the way home and have them test the battery and alternator. Their website says they can test the alternator on or off the car which will help. I assume if I need an alternator I want the 130amp one? They have a 130amp reman. one with lifetime warranty for $139 (same as Autozone and Advanced). Will do the belt while I'm at it I guess

 

[2004RangerFX4]

Mine was 95 amp.....as I am not running anything special. Super easy to do, I used my jack handle to push the tensioner pulley down far enough. Worked like a charm

 

[backroad101]

Anyone know what the 130 amp one is for?

 

[2004RangerFX4]

It depends on your VIN number....just give the VIN to them there and they will tell you what is needed per your vehicle. If you plan on running winches and the like, maybe go up to 130. But, I still think you would be okay with the 95.

 

[backroad101]

It depends on your VIN number....just give the VIN to them there and they will tell you what is needed per your vehicle. If you plan on running winches and the like, maybe go up to 130. But, I still think you would be okay with the 95.

If I add anything else electrical, it wil be 2 simple off road lights and MAYBE a 4 channel amp when I replace the speakers. So maybe I can save some money and just get a 95amp, though the 130amp is only $15 more

 

[2004RangerFX4]

Yeah you will be fine.....I had more than that on my 96 and had a stock alternator. I never had an issue with the draw or anything

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Sounds like the regulator is bad in your alternator... only when you went to high RPM's that it flickered on which leads me to think its not limiting the amount going to the battery and overcharging it when it doesn't need the juice.

I would get the 130 amp if its only 15 bucks more... thats .50 cents per extra amp. You may not need it as I ran 6 off road lights on my 84's stock battery and 40 amp alternator just fine but boy it would be nice to have had that extra amperage.

 

[backroad101]

Ended up being the alternator. Had the battery and alt tested at Oreilly's. Battery was at only a 54% charge and the alternator was only putting out 30 amps. Ended up getting the 130amp alternator with the lifetime warranty. Battery died as I pulled in my garage.

Alternator was pretty simple to change, took an hour and that is because I was taking my time and the 3 bolts were a little hard to get off. First time in a while I was actually able to finsh work on a vehicle and not get pissed at any time. LOL.

Jumpstarted the truck, let it run while I cleaned up. Battery was charged at 100% when I had them retest it at Oreillys when I returned the core. Plus, they were nice enough to take back the balljoint I bought more than a month ago and never used.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Just a side note, its not the greatest idea to charge a dead battery with the alternator. It can kill an alternator in a hurry as they are meant to maintain a charge not to bring it back from the dead.

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

^x10!