97 Ranger Battery Light/Gauge issue-Puzzled

dragonstar · #1 02-09-2011, 06:26 PM

My 97 Ranger recently showed its battery light and the gauge dropped. Replaced the battery as it was 4 years old. Auto parts guy tested new one and it was charging. I live in a small town and yes, the auto parts store guy will put in the battery and even test it. And, yes, dogs run free in the store. Anyway, light came on yesterday and gauge dropped. Drove to work (only mode and had to get there), light on and low gauge. Same thing on the way home. Took my chance today. Same thing in the morning. BUT when I came home, light was off and gauge smack dab in the middle. Light came on 20 miles down the road. Stopped at a store. When I started the truck up, no light, gauge in the middle. Turned the headlights on as it was dusk and all is fine. Any ideas?

jmonck · #2 02-09-2011, 08:45 PM

sounds to me like you should have your alternator tested. i've fried a few in my day and that sounds like a familiar story. I fried my first alternator on a ranger last month, and the scenario was virtually the same, turns out the bearing was shot. Be careful driving if the guage isn't showing it charging. Your battery will only run your truck for so long. I actually carried a charger with for about a week, and charged it every chance I could until I could get another alt.. Turning the truck off and back on worked a few times to get it charging.

sgtsandman · #3 02-10-2011, 06:56 AM

It sounds like the alternator to me too. My battery light was on but the battery was charging just fine. When I replaced the alternator after checking everything else out, it fixed the problem.

FireRanger · #4 02-10-2011, 07:17 AM

That light has nothing to do with the battery. Yes, it is a picture of a battery. Yes, your battery will get low. But the problem isn't the battery. The problem is the alternator. That light will illuminate if the key is on and the alternator is not generating power. If you've checked all your wiring on the alternator, battery, and power distro box, then the alternator is probably toast.

dragonstar · #5 02-10-2011, 08:21 AM

Thanks. Getting a new alternator put in now. Will et you know if it fixed the problems. Hope so!

dragonstar · #6 02-10-2011, 02:42 PM

Okay, new alternator is installed. All seems fine. BUT, just picked my daughter up and coming home the check engine light came on. Any idea on what caused this?

FireRanger · #7 02-10-2011, 04:34 PM

Impossible to determine. There are about 100 different trouble codes and you'd have to have the codes read and tell us what the code is. Now, with that said, you could also disconnect the battery for a few minutes to clear the memory and start fresh. If the code was erroneous BS, it won't light up again.

jmonck · #8 02-11-2011, 12:23 AM

If your four cylinder has eight spark plugs like mine, and you've noticed a slight decrease in power, The same thing happened when I put my new alternator in. The check engine light has been on for about a month now. When I bought the truck, the check engine light was on, and the guy said it had been like that for two years. I checked the codes and it was a dead ignition coil. replaced it and got a little more power, and no light. I f you only have one coil then I'm just honing my typing skills. Not saying thats what it is... just wanted to tell that story I guess.

dragonstar · #9 02-11-2011, 06:11 PM

Thanks. I had heard disconnecting the battery could clear the memory. Will see what happens tomorrow (rode with the wife today so haven't driven the truck).

My truck has more than 4 spark plugs. I thought it was six but could be eight. I tried to change them once but only got one out. Took it to my mechanic. I'm not very mechanical but have some good connections so any info I can pass along they appreciate. Didn't notice any decrease in power yesterday when driving it home and picking up my daughter. Not like it has a lot of power anyway. But I love this truck!

If the Check Engine light stays on, I'll get the code(s) and pass along what they say.

Thanks for everyone's help!

FireRanger · #10 02-11-2011, 06:34 PM

You have 8. Two per cylinder. Before you blindly replace them, have the codes read first. If the light stays on.

jmonck · #11 02-11-2011, 06:55 PM

If you have 8 plugs, then you have two coils. If the problem lies there, it will show when you check the codes. They cost about 50 bucks each. But if your car is still running then only one is bad.

dragonstar · #12 02-14-2011, 08:14 PM

Sorry if I confused about the spark plug thing. That was awhile back. This particular situation was all alternator/battery. Spark plugs not touched.

Today, Check Engine light on going to work (never got the chance to disconnect the battery over the weekend). But it turned off on the way home! Got the girl from soccer, dropped a friend off as well, turned the truck off and back on. . .no Check Engine light! Let's hope it was a glitch. I thank you all! Trust me, if it comes back on. I'll post.