2003 ranger 3.0 charging issue

[770 raptor]

Replaced battery and alternator, across the terminal posts still only reading 12.4-12.6 volts. Unsure if alternator is bad right out of the box. Could really use some help as I need my vehicle to get to work tomorrow. Anyone have any ideas what else it could be?

 

[RonD]

There is a fuse, usually in the power box under the hood.

Could be labelled Generator or Alt Sys, 15amp to 35amp

This circuit turns the Alternator on, alternators must be shut off or they will drain the battery, so they need to be turned on when engine starts, then turn off when engine is off.

 

[770 raptor]

Any idea where its located in the fuse box? All the diagrams I can find dont accurately show the fuse layout. I did continuity checks on all the blade type fuses and all checked sat both under the hood and inside the cab.

 

[RonD]

Then I would test if alternator's B+ is connected to battery.
B+ is the bigger wire on the stud/nut, use volt meter with key off and see if that wire has 12.4-.6volts
If no volts then follow that wire and you should come to a "fusable link" this is usually a grey or black square, test each side of it like you would a fuse.

Then there should be 3 wires in one connector on the alternator, with key on engine off 1 of those wires should have 12volts, green with red strip was the color used for years, this turns on the alternator, so 12v should go away when key is off.
This 12v comes from the battery light and/or Voltage gauge on the dashboard