What's wrong with my truck?

[Lefty]

Mine is 2003 3.0 Ranger. The ABS light comes on along with the battery light. The alternator/charge gauge reads high. The warning lights go off at idle. BTW the alternator and the battery are new. What's wrong?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Either you got a bad alternator off the shelf or have a wiring/ground issue

 

[pjtoledo]

get a voltmeter, verify what the numbers are.
ABS may be a separate issue.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Go get your brand new alternator tested and be baffled on how a brand new part can be bad. I've baffled myself and 3 other friends just in the past 2 years. And the get your money back and buy a different/better brand alternator. OEM used to be boring, but now its the best you can get.

 

[Lefty]

Go get your brand new alternator tested and be baffled on how a brand new part can be bad. I've baffled myself and 3 other friends just in the past 2 years. And the get your money back and buy a different/better brand alternator. OEM used to be boring, but now its the best you can get.

Funny. The first battery I bought didn't work. A most interesting suggestion. Thanks.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

From what I understand, a bad alternator can kill a good battery, and vice versa. Your brand new not good battery may have killed your alternator .

 

[sgtsandman]

Unfortunately, new parts being bad out of the box are becoming a more and more common thing.

 

[Lefty]

I don't have a volt meter, but I think you and the other members are right. I'm going to take that "new" alternator in tomorrow and have it tested.

 

[sgtsandman]

I don't have a volt meter, but I think you and the other members are right. I'm going to take that "new" alternator in tomorrow and have it tested.

If the alternator fails, have the battery checked as well to make sure it wasn’t damaged. If the alternator checks good, still have the battery tested.

 

[Lefty]

If the alternator fails, have the battery checked as well to make sure it wasn’t damaged. If the alternator checks good, still have the battery tested.

Good point. I had to drive the truck for about 20 miles after the lights came on.

 

[Lefty]

good point

 

[Lefty]

Well the alternator checked out normal and running fine. Next step will be the battery

 

[Lefty]

Well the battery checked out too. Everything works now, all except the alternator makes a strange clicking sound. My guess is that the alternator is going to go, that it may have tested normal, but will fail soon.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Most times when having an alternator tested (assuming you removed it and took it there) they typically just full field it to see if it puts out.

You really need to make a small investment in a voltmeter... and use it to test it while on your truck.

I would be looking at some of the power probe offerings... once you have one... you will wonder why you waited so long to have one.

I know I can hardly function without mine.

 

[Lefty]

Thanks Uncle Gump. I think you're right. A friend came over last night with his voltmeter. He said the alternator was okay, but he also said to take it to take it to a mechanic who would probably have better diagnostic equipment.