Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts!

Go Back   Ford Ranger Forum - Forums for Ford Ranger enthusiasts! > >
Forgot Password? Join Us!

Welcome to Ford Ranger Forum

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread

  #1  
Old 06-05-2015, 04:21 PM
Ejankins Ejankins is offline
WD-40 aficionado
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 7
Default Flickering Battery Light (vid) Fixxed (for now)

So far I've been lucky on this one.

*you'll hear me revving the engine, and some construction in the background*

Driving home from the Home Depot today and I notice the battery light on the cluster was flickering. Noticed the flickering happened at acceleration and when revving at a stop. All electrical worked, radio, fans, lights did not effect the flickering and were not effected.

First thought, bad electrical connection somewhere.

Second thought, bad alternator. But the battery light isn't signaling, blinking, or intermittent. It is flickering like a loose light bulb.

Checked the voltage on the battery, 12 to 13 volts with engine off.
Turned key to electrical on, battery light holds steady like it should.
Started the engine. Started just fine, runs soundly, Battery Voltage Meter on cluster reads good voltage. Light flickers when revved.


Checked the forums here and got this info:
-Check connection from alternator
-Check wiring harness behind driver side fender/under fuse box
-Check all fusees.
-Hopefully you don't need a new alternator


Did all that, looked for wire rot, pushed in some askew fuses, and checked the connection from the alternator.
Started the engine, gave it a rev, no more flickering light.

......yup. Anyone else ever seen this?

----------

Also, I found a (?) snap-on battery terminal cleaner drill attachment (?) in the engine compartment on the wheel well under the fuse box. It was from the last owner. Beat to hell, and probably has been in there for years.

Always check your engine compartment for tools!
Yours or not! I got a really nice screw driver from my VW mechanic left below my windshield wipers last year.
__________________
O.G. Y2K 2.5L I4 5 speed rwd XLT 2-seater Step Bed w/ K&N Drop.
Bright Atlantic Blue, Black Details, Hard Tonneau, Black Dipped O.G. Ford Chrome Wheels.
Manual Everything: Windows, Locks, Seats, Transmission & No Speed Control.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-06-2015, 08:05 AM
Ejankins Ejankins is offline
WD-40 aficionado
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 7
Default Re: Flickering Battery Light (vid) Fixxed (for now)

OH NO!

Light came back on!
So checked the electrical again. Still OK

This time I sprayed some WD-40 into the alternator

As soon as the lube hit it the car pepped right up.
Idle got smoother, sound in general improved.

Battery light turned off.

WTF.
__________________
O.G. Y2K 2.5L I4 5 speed rwd XLT 2-seater Step Bed w/ K&N Drop.
Bright Atlantic Blue, Black Details, Hard Tonneau, Black Dipped O.G. Ford Chrome Wheels.
Manual Everything: Windows, Locks, Seats, Transmission & No Speed Control.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-06-2015, 08:13 AM
99Ranger376 99Ranger376 is offline
Still around
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,298
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ejankins View Post
OH NO!

Light came back on!
So checked the electrical again. Still OK

This time I sprayed some WD-40 into the alternator

As soon as the lube hit it the car pepped right up.
Idle got smoother, sound in general improved.

Battery light turned off.

WTF.
Sounds like it's time to replace the alternator.
__________________
2011 Ranger XLT 4x4 3.73 8.8" Trac-lok #1 T-bars, K -springs, LineX bedliner, General Grabber AT2's, Tonnopro tri-fold, CoverKing Realtree AP seat covers, OEM pre-keys, axle spacers, Bilstein 4600's, Hellwig AAL. Ziebart Undercoat
'98 Ranger XLT 2WD (sold)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-06-2015, 08:28 AM
Ejankins Ejankins is offline
WD-40 aficionado
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 7
Default Re: Flickering Battery Light (vid) Fixxed (for now)

Yeah I bet.
__________________
O.G. Y2K 2.5L I4 5 speed rwd XLT 2-seater Step Bed w/ K&N Drop.
Bright Atlantic Blue, Black Details, Hard Tonneau, Black Dipped O.G. Ford Chrome Wheels.
Manual Everything: Windows, Locks, Seats, Transmission & No Speed Control.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-06-2015, 09:48 AM
sheltonfilms sheltonfilms is offline
Junkyard Dog
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,906
Default Re: Flickering Battery Light (vid) Fixxed (for now)

Your brushes on your alternator are losing contact/worn out.

Replace your alternator.

You got an analog multimeter (not a digital one)? Put that on the battery terminals when running and you should see the arrow swing alot.
__________________
Automotive Electronics Engineer
2000 XLT 2.5L A/T
Mods:
Explorer OHC
Explorer Autodim Mirrors w/ Autolamps
Explorer Sport White Face Gauges
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-06-2015, 10:02 AM
Ejankins Ejankins is offline
WD-40 aficionado
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 7
Default Re: Flickering Battery Light (vid) Fixxed (for now)

I have a digital multimeter

I get 12.5 about out of the battery and the alternator when running.

That's pretty low.
__________________
O.G. Y2K 2.5L I4 5 speed rwd XLT 2-seater Step Bed w/ K&N Drop.
Bright Atlantic Blue, Black Details, Hard Tonneau, Black Dipped O.G. Ford Chrome Wheels.
Manual Everything: Windows, Locks, Seats, Transmission & No Speed Control.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 06-06-2015, 10:04 AM
sheltonfilms sheltonfilms is offline
Junkyard Dog
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,906
Default

Yep alternator sounds bad.
__________________
Automotive Electronics Engineer
2000 XLT 2.5L A/T
Mods:
Explorer OHC
Explorer Autodim Mirrors w/ Autolamps
Explorer Sport White Face Gauges
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
battery, electrical, flickering, light

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Battery Light Flickering lammchop1993 Electrical Tech 16 10-22-2014 07:42 PM
Battery light flickering jsweet42891 Electrical Tech 4 09-28-2014 03:28 PM
battery light flickering at idle! modelageek 4-Cylinder Tech 7 01-29-2013 07:16 AM
2009 Ford Ranger Battery Light Flickering jteets89 Electrical Tech 4 02-17-2012 08:17 AM
2001 ranger v6 3.0 litre oil light flickering rangersrule2001 3.0 Vulcan Tech 1 07-25-2010 05:43 AM