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  #1  
Old 07-05-2014, 07:33 PM
CDNeyesonly CDNeyesonly is offline
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Thumbs down Battery Warning Light Intermittently Goes on and off while driving.

For the last few days my battery warning light has been flashing on and off intermittently while I'm driving.. when this happens my headlights flicker off and back on. Once my radio has turned off and my overhead console keeps showing the word "ICE" when it happens?

I've been taking my time with it and was going to wait until my mechanic was back from vacation to have him take a look, but last night I was driving behind a cop when it started happening. The officer thought I was flashing my lights at him and gave me a ticket... so now I'm done with this issue and want to figure out the problem!

Any suggestions? I've look at connections to the battery and whatever plugs I could see and the wires all looked intact (can you tell I don't know shit about electrical? haha!). What's a good place to start next?
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  #2  
Old 07-05-2014, 07:57 PM
DixieDawg DixieDawg is offline
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Default Re: Battery Warning Light Intermittently Goes on and off while driving.

Have you checked the wiring connections at the alternator if not I'd start there
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  #3  
Old 07-05-2014, 08:24 PM
reconjb reconjb is offline
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Default Re: Battery Warning Light Intermittently Goes on and off while driving.

id start checking for a loose ground
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Old 07-05-2014, 09:55 PM
ajstewart777 ajstewart777 is offline
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Have your alternator tested and battery as well. That also just started happening to me. Then the other day my truck was completely dead. Put a new battery in now its okay. Alternator is a good place to check as well
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  #5  
Old 07-05-2014, 11:28 PM
CDNeyesonly CDNeyesonly is offline
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Default Re: Battery Warning Light Intermittently Goes on and off while driving.

Hmm checked the wiring at the alternator and everything appeared okay. As it happens I bought an extra battery a couple weeks ago as a backup to jump myself if I'm in the bush. I'll pop that in and see it it makes a difference.

driving home tonight my dash lights were turning on and off, guages all going haywire, high beams flashing on and off... it's a zoo in there :S

If nothing comes out of the battery change and I can't find any loose grounds I'm going to take Monday off work and head into a shop. Regardless of what happens I'll update this thread
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  #6  
Old 07-06-2014, 05:54 AM
JJSLAIL22 JJSLAIL22 is offline
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Default Re: Battery Warning Light Intermittently Goes on and off while driving.

I had the same issue a few months ago. If you take it to have your alternator tested they will likely say it is fine, because at the time of testing it will be fine. It's on its way out and only drops in amperage on occasion (when your battery light flashes and lights flicker). I replaced the alternator and have been golden since.
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  #7  
Old 07-06-2014, 06:11 AM
ajstewart777 ajstewart777 is offline
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Definitely sounds like Ann alternator issue to me
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Old 07-06-2014, 06:15 AM
Ordinary Biker Ordinary Biker is offline
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Default Re: Battery Warning Light Intermittently Goes on and off while driving.

When I lost the alternator on my '98 it would only charge in a very narrow RPM band. So as the truck approached, went through and then exceeded this band, the charge light would come on go off come back on.
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  #9  
Old 07-06-2014, 05:39 PM
CDNeyesonly CDNeyesonly is offline
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Default Re: Battery Warning Light Intermittently Goes on and off while driving.

Hmm well I checked grounds, wiring to the alternator and all that jazz... looks fine to me. I'm thinking you guys may be on to something with replacing the alternator. Maybe this is a good chance to upgrade.

Any recommended alternators? I don't have offroad lights or much aftermarket stuff (except for sound system). I was thinking of going with this:

http://www.amazon.com/TYC-2-08519-Ford-Replacement-Alternator/dp/B0041TVYIS/ref=au_pf_ss_2?ie=UTF8&Make=Ford%7C54&Model=Ranger%7C696&Year=2008%7C2008&carId=001&n=15684181&s=automotive
I think 130 amps is what comes stock in my Ranger, which is what the Remy is. Is it worth spending a bit extra and going for more amperage? Should I be looking at any specific brands?

----------

Would this be way overkill?

http://www.amazon.com/Alternator-Output-Ranger-Truck-Explorer/dp/B008R291G2/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1404693509&sr=8-3-fkmr1&keywords=200+amp+alternator+ranger+2008
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  #10  
Old 07-06-2014, 07:48 PM
CDNeyesonly CDNeyesonly is offline
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Default Re: Battery Warning Light Intermittently Goes on and off while driving.

Just found a voltmetre lying around in my garage. When the truck's running the alternator is running low. Good call guys.
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Last edited by CDNeyesonly; 07-06-2014 at 07:52 PM.
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  #11  
Old 07-06-2014, 10:42 PM
TB-9862 TB-9862 is offline
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Damn my money was on bad ground; I had trouble with my electrical system this past winter. Same symptoms you described, but my cause WAS in fact a bad body ground.

Glad you got it figured out, sucks bout the ticket tho
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  #12  
Old 07-06-2014, 11:02 PM
JJSLAIL22 JJSLAIL22 is offline
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Default Re: Battery Warning Light Intermittently Goes on and off while driving.

Quote:
Originally Posted by CDNeyesonly View Post
Hmm well I checked grounds, wiring to the alternator and all that jazz... looks fine to me. I'm thinking you guys may be on to something with replacing the alternator. Maybe this is a good chance to upgrade.

Any recommended alternators? I don't have offroad lights or much aftermarket stuff (except for sound system). I was thinking of going with this:

Amazon.com: TYC 2-08519 Ford Replacement Alternator: [email]Automotive

I think 130 amps is what comes stock in my Ranger, which is what the Remy is. Is it worth spending a bit extra and going for more amperage? Should I be looking at any specific brands?

----------

Would this be way overkill?

Amazon.com: Alternator For High Output 220 Amp 4.0L Ford Ranger Truck 07 08 09 / Explorer 04-07: [email]Automotive
For no aftermarket off road extras or very demanding sound system, the 220 would be overkill but if you've got the cash to get it you certainly could. Be a good idea to run thicker gauge wire between the alt and battery if you do go with the 220.
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  #13  
Old 07-06-2014, 11:25 PM
TB-9862 TB-9862 is offline
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Pretty sure Rangers come with a 90A alternator, the 130A was used in Explorers. You can put a 130A in as a direct replacement but anything 200 or higher would be overkill unless needed. And if you do install one, you will need to upgrade the associated wiring to the correct gauge, and proper fusing between alternator and truck is HIGHLY recommended.
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  #14  
Old 07-07-2014, 12:00 AM
CDNeyesonly CDNeyesonly is offline
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Default Re: Battery Warning Light Intermittently Goes on and off while driving.

Quote:
Originally Posted by TB-9862 View Post
Damn my money was on bad ground; I had trouble with my electrical system this past winter. Same symptoms you described, but my cause WAS in fact a bad body ground.

Glad you got it figured out, sucks bout the ticket tho
Yeah so ridiculous.. "failure to dim lamps". I explained what the issue was but I think he was having a bad day

Hmm maybe 220 is a little overkill, haha. I just know that in the future I'm going to start modding my Ranger with the fun stuff and I might want the extra power. Could be a fun little project to learn some electric.

Looking at Tasca parts it would appear that my Ranger comes with a 115amp Alternator

http://www.tascaparts.com/ford/range...ame=alternator

So the 130 would still be an improvement.

Any brands in particular you guys would stay away from?
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