Reader Question
I have a Ford Ranger Sport 3.0 and I was driving to work one day last week and my bright lights cut off. I then switched to dim lights and they worked fine. I also noticed that my battery light came on and also my battery level indicator went to High. My truck ran fine until I came home later that day and over night the battery went dead. I put it on charge for a few hours and it would never get a charge. I thought it may be just the battery itself so I took it to Wal-Mart and swapped it for another battery. After that I put the new battery in my truck and the same thing happened. No bright lights and high voltage on battery. I don’t think it is the alternator because when I turn the truck on the interior lights get brighter and when I turn it off they get dim, so that should mean that the alternator is creating power when running. I am not an experienced mechanic so I don’t know what it could be. Please help me out.
Thanks
Hey there,
That kinda does sound like a charging system type of problem and I would suggest you visit a real mechanic shop (not Walmart) or if possible a starter and alternator rebuilding shop in your area for a complete electrical system test. You probably have an internal problem with the voltage regulator inside the alternator. Getting your alternator rebuilt or exchanging it for a rebuilt unit would be the most economical option for you.
Personally I have not seen this exact complaint in my shop, so if the repair is not an alternator problem please let me know so I can update this post to help the next person.
Blessings,
Austin Davis