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94 Ranger 2.3L electrical issue

I have a 94 Ranger 2.3 (splash if that makes ANY difference whatsoever) it doesn't seem to charge the battery anymore. A few weeks ago the volt meter started getting lower and lower, especially with the AC fan on high. The lights dim and flicker, worse at idle. I replaced the alternator, the old one was still good (bearings were dying so it needed swapped anyway) and the new one has good voltage (14.3 average) at the alternator. The battery is good. The voltage is low (10.5v at the battery), don't know why... it's been running like a piece of $hit lately too... basically all of a sudden. Driving at night, lights on, ac blowing and stereo on will nearly drain the battery in an hour. It's getting some charge, just not enough.

Reply to
Dave...
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On Thu 11 Aug 2005 01:34:10p, gw assaulted the computer and came up with this:

I get that even without the battery being connected (at the leads). The battery is new, and even though there are DOA's this one is good. It's been tested and can run the ac, lights and truck for about an hour without any real trouble. 2 hours and it's slow to start.

Reply to
Dave...

A 10V battery WOULD run your lights for a couple hours. A new battery should have 12.6 VDC, six cells of 2.1 V. It sounds like your new battery is not good accourding to your own checks and observations. And when your voltage is low the truck will run badly as it depends on normal voltage to fire the injectors and so on.

You seem to be in denial about this truck. First the alternator was not bad, but the voltage kept dropping and the bearings were shot. Now the battery is not bad, but it only shows 10 volts when it should be 12.6V. GEt a good battery and you will probably be OK.

Reply to
Al Bundy

On Thu 11 Aug 2005 05:26:18p, Al Bundy assaulted the computer and came up with this:

I appreciate where you're coming from, I do. Denial, no, it's a piece of shit with a helluva lot of miles on it. I'm saying that even without the battery, the output at the battery terminals is low. Even with another battery from my parent's ford exploder it has low voltage. Testing the points on the alternator itself there is sufficient voltage, just over 14 at idle.

Basically what I'm asking, is there any fusible links or other weird crap that would force the voltage from the alternator to take an alternate circuit causing a voltage drop before it reaches the battery?

Reply to
Dave...

He may have something shorting the electrical system. Maybe something like a door switch wearing through the insulation (not a complete short, just a weak point). Check around the starter to see if anything has gotten up into that area.

On an older truck, I had a fuse link blown which kept the battery from charging. The amp meter never showed a charge.

If you disconnect the battery completely, will it start normally after the same two hours?

Clark

Reply to
Clark

On Fri 12 Aug 2005 08:08:56a, Clark assaulted the computer and came up with this:

the more i use the starter the farther it drops... it's getting electricity, I just think it's taking an alternate route.

Reply to
Dave...

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