Electrical Problem

[68fbjjz109]

I have a 89 2.9 4x4 Ranger, and I have had it for about 6 years and never had any electrical problems till two days ago. It starts right up everytime. Two days ago I drove it two work it sat for about an hour it got extremely cold out. I went to start it nothing... After jumping it and getting it running, i let it run for about 15 minutes. I went out to leave work turned on the lights and it died. I I came back with a Brand new battery and it started up. I went home checked the system and it was putting out 15.8 V. So I am assuming in needs a new alt. because the voltage regulator went bad. Now I know thats not ideal it will kill a battery but I need the truck to drive to school so i would drive it with everything on, parked it the next day it snowed big time and well the tsl's love the snow, and i needed to get stuff. It wouldn't start. I had to hook it up to a jumper pack and bypass the starter solenoid and eventually it turned over. Though many times it made no attempt to start. I am just curious where i should start in diagnosing the problem and what it could be. LIke i said its never had an issue. The truck as been in deep water before sucked water into the motor and still runs like a champ. It has never given me a problem till now. Any help whould be appreciated thanks in advanced.

 

[RobbieD]

Two days ago I drove it two work it sat for about an hour it got extremely cold out. I went to start it nothing... After jumping it and getting it running, i let it run for about 15 minutes. I went out to leave work turned on the lights and it died.

Check your battery cables. Both the (should be) Red positive cable and the (should be) Black ground cable(s- you likely have multiple ground cables). Even if they all look good on the outside, they can be corroded inside. At least rule this out first. Good luck!