Voltage Jumping 1995 Ranger

[Ryan1023]

Hello all!

Newbie here and love the site!. So here's my problem Just purchased a 1995 Ranger 2.3L 5speed last month with 114,000 miles on it and absoulutely love the truck. Unfortunately tonight when I got out of work I was driving home and noticed when I came to a stop the voltage guage jumping up and down. Since its cold here in Michigan I got home and decided to switch the heater fan from low to high. And when its on high it drops voltage, not enough to stall the truck... but almost.

Just trying to get suggestions and tackle it the best and cheapest way possible. I am also trying to tackle a high idle problem when I push in the clutch the idle doesn't come back down to normal till I come to a complete stop. That came about on saturday. And from doing some searches on the site it seems to be a normal problem I believe mine to be vacum related. Do you think the voltage problem would have anything to do with this?

Just to give some other info the truck has original everything on it!!. Nothing has been replaced. This includes original coil packs, plugs and wires. The wires are really bad and I do mean bad! Was thinking that could be causing the voltage problem as well?. But also thinking maybe the coil packs?. Not sure if those things just quit suddenly or over a period of time?. Any and all help would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks...

 

[Nater]

I am leaning towards the Altenator going out....

 

[Ryan1023]

I'm thinking the same thing. I've got a local auto generator place here. The guy is real good at pinpointing electrical problems. Heading there now to get it checked out will keep posted.

 

[Nater]

Definately keep us posted.

 

[Ryan1023]

Well Nater you were right! it was the alternator. I ended just replacing it with a new one from the autoparts store for $108.56. Now its time to chase down this vacum leak this coming weekend.

 

[Nater]

Easiest way to do that is with carb cleaner or choke in a can...spray it near all hoses and around the intake...if the idle rises/changes while spraying, you have a basic idea or almost pin-point (depends where you spray) of where the leak is.