Hello from Athens, NY

[pchast]

I've been fighting with an electrical problem on my 98 Ranger. It was born with a 6cyl. I got it with a 4. The current draw jumps to 8 amps at the battery when the engine is started and run. A fuse survey does not identify the main draw so far..... Personally. I'm a retired heating plant engineer. single. This was the weekend and trash hauler before this problem

I checked the vin. Its an original 2.5 4cyl.

 

[pchast]

Thought I had an answer. power relay #4 has been getting hot. new relay remains cool. no change in current draw.

 

[SenorNoob]

8 amps when running sounds about right for ignition usage to me. Question is why isn't that much higher flow the other way to charge the battery...

 

[pchast]

I wondered. Thanks for confirming the amps out... The output from the alternator is a single plug with 3 wires. Yellow, white with black, and green. I've been looking for a schematic for the connection as there was an extra white with black just tapping on the alternator case. I taped it back since I could not confirm its use yet. All the wire harness is still in its original plastic shielding and I can find no actual bare wires shorting.

 

[pchast]

I read a couple of web site blogs on checking the alternator. testing I found the 30 amp fuse in the power box in engine compartment was blown. Replaced it and things seem to be working well. The battery voltage is up and stable. Learning more about this every day...

I still don't know what the second white and black wire is for and does. Its taped off for now.

Fixed????

I'm annoyed the mechanic who replaced the alternator first didn't find it or maybe didn't know about it. He usually works on Subaru.

 

[SenorNoob]

That extra wire has something to do with a voltage regulator on earlier trucks I think. I have a wire hanging exactly the same way on mine after swapping in a later Explorer 130 AMP alternator.

98 would've been about the time Ford change the design. They probably changed the alternator and didn't bother updating the wiring harness for awhile.

 

[pchast]

That makes some sense. Thanks for your reply.

 

[DrWho42]

henlo! welcome to the forums!

 

[pchast]

Thanks. I'm finding answers here.

 

[pchast]

I used my scan gauge to clear codes. One problem remains. the charge light stays on. The alternator is charging. battery voltage stays at above 14.4.

Thanks for the help,
Pete