I think my alternator is shitting the bed, but I thought I'd run the symptoms by you guys for a second opinion.

I noticed the headlights seemed a little dim when I was cruising on the highway. When I reached my exit and slowed down, suddenly they got bright like normal.

So, I did some experiments: The faster the truck went (and the higher the engine speed), the more dim everything got. When I slowed down, or at idle, everything went back to normal. The battery gauge would be down at the halfway mark, but when I was going slow or idling, it would jump up to about 2/3.

I checked the belt, it's fine, not slipping. The only other thing I can think of is that a regulator in the alternator might be bad. I'm assuming I would have to change the alternator out regardless. Anything else you guys can think of, or should I just get a new alternator?

easy. bring it in to your auto parts store. they usually run a diagnostic test for free.
80% sure its alternator

Prolly the alt, really easy to test :)

That's kinda weird. Usually when alt's start to go they start to act like old generators, brightening the lights with the higher engine speed.

But yeah, check it. you don't even need to take it out of the car, most autoparts store will have an in-car tester.

Sounds backwards. Check your terminals for corrosion. Having hard starts at all?

Sounds backwards. Check your terminals for corrosion. Having hard starts at all?

No, it starts up like normal.

I think my alternator is shitting the bed, but I thought I'd run the symptoms by you guys for a second opinion.

I noticed the headlights seemed a little dim when I was cruising on the highway. When I reached my exit and slowed down, suddenly they got bright like normal.

So, I did some experiments: The faster the truck went (and the higher the engine speed), the more dim everything got. When I slowed down, or at idle, everything went back to normal. The battery gauge would be down at the halfway mark, but when I was going slow or idling, it would jump up to about 2/3.

I checked the belt, it's fine, not slipping. The only other thing I can think of is that a regulator in the alternator might be bad. I'm assuming I would have to change the alternator out regardless. Anything else you guys can think of, or should I just get a new alternator?


Go with a new alternator...rebuilt one is fine from NAP. Plus they will give a core rebate and check the old one if it is really needed.

Did you check the belt BTW, sometimes an old one with give will show up with weird surges.

good bet it's the alternator if it's not showing at least 13V under load, that's why I love the Power FC, it's a useful diagnostic tool because it constantly reads out stuff like that inside the car

No one wants to listen to you brag about your cars anymore.....btw how many engines have you popped?

helps if you read the OP first

thats not what I meant......no wonder you have a screwed up FD. :rolleyes:

it's not "bragging" superhack, just a statement....stalking again?

Oh shit the stalking card...Mr. 20k Posts...if you post in every thread then EVERYONE is a stalker....do you even have a life Mr Pink Slip?

STFU with the smalktalk already damn, do you not get it in your head?

Fixed!

BTW I have seen belts that, when under load will stretch....but look fine normally.

jeez, your not a mechanic are you there skidMArk.

I've got news for you: ANY belt under load will stretch to some degree, but if kevin checked the tension, like he said he did, and it's not squealing, it's doing it's job, that's not the problem


:rolleyes: You just :owned: yourself.


I've worked on cars more than you, superhack, which is why your garage queen FD is still bone stock (and rarely driven) and I'm putting down ~ 360 rwhp

There you go bragging about your car again.
I seriously doubt you have worked on more cars than me....that, "mr I popped my engine three times".

whatever...

Says the HS chick.....

reports for everyone!

I think your windshield wiper fluid is low.

Well, the truck died today before I had a chance to take it to be tested. It's being towed to the mechanic now, so he's just going to fix whatever it is.

There ya have it.

See, your fluid ran out. Finally those 8 years at WyoTech paid off!!!

Well, the truck died today before I had a chance to take it to be tested. It's being towed to the mechanic now, so he's just going to fix whatever it is.

There ya have it.

I bet 20 posts on bad internal regulator in the alternator.

I bet 20 posts on bad internal regulator in the alternator.

A solenoid on the firewall was bad, the alternator was dead, and he replaced the belt. It's good to go.

Bad news: It needs two ball joints, too, and there is a hole in the exhaust manifold. I knew it had a hole in the exhaust, didn't think it was in the manifold.

Silver lining: Shorty headers are actually less expensive than manifolds, and gain 15 h.p., so I get to actually mod it finally.

Get used to balljoints going on fords.

especially where it snows

Get used to balljoints going on fords.

Hey, at least there aren't a million of them like on my Audi.

True. thought he ford ones are serviceable, right? With zerk fittings on them forto greasing?

I have no idea. All I know is, we've had the truck for 3 or 4 years now, and this is the first time we've had to replace them. The truck has actually been pretty damn awesome. It can probably last another 10 years.

Hmm. Well I guess you can't complain. I know that rangers are big old POS's. They made diesel expeditions right? or is that excursions?

Yeah the Ranger/Explorer models suck ass. The Expedition is based on the F-150, so it's really a truck underneath. I don't think they made diesel Expeditions.

Yeah the Ranger/Explorer models suck ass. The Expedition is based on the F-150, so it's really a truck underneath. I don't think they made diesel Expeditions.


Yah they made diesels, my buddy Mark who owns Dragonfly Boats has one.

what gas mileage are you getting in the old battletank, 12-14?




13 city, 18 highway. Should improve with some of the new mods.

what gas mileage are you getting in the old battletank, 12-14?

can't say I'll be sad to see these moving barn doors become extinct (i.e. minivans and SUVs in general) they just get in my way

Hey, they have their uses. Just not for 1 in 4 vehicles on the road.

Hey, they have their uses. Just not for 1 in 4 vehicles on the road.

Eventually, we'll retire the Expedition just to be the "farm truck", used for hauling the hay and feed my wife needs for her animals, and to throw a plow on for the driveway.

I tell ya this, though: When we get one of those shitty snowstorms with 18 inches of snow in a day, the Expedition is absolutely unstoppable.

I hear that, but such conditions generally occur only a few days out of the year, even where you live

I haven't driven the S2000 in snow at all this year here in NC, not one flake

We got 10 different storms this year of 6 inches or more in a 12 hour period, which is considered highly dangerous travel weather.

We stay the hell out of driving in those conditions if at all possible, but sometimes you gotta get to work or whatever. We've also had major rainstorms resulting in flooding as well as really bad icing conditions. It's been the worst winter that I've had here in the 8 years I've been on the east coast.