Battery alternator??

e-manhunt · Oct 5, 2014

Ok. This isn't a tractor question but the guys in this forum are some of the best mechanics I know of on the internet.
2000 ford ranger battery clamp rotted out. Truck would easily jump but but not restart when I shut it down. Replaced the positive clamp--same problem. Also noticed radio goes off when truck is running and I put headlights on. Heat, dome lights all work. Old battery was shot so put a new one in today-- runs like a top. However, radio still goes off when I turn on headlights. Everything else works with headlights on. Friend said alternator is bad.
Do not want to pull alternator if I don't have to. I can live without a radio at night but do not want to get stuck some place if is is alternator.
Any thoughts? Thanks

Brownie450 · Oct 5, 2014

If you have a meter, see what the voltage is on the battery with engine idling/ running. If the reading is from 13.5 to 14 volts, your alt. is most likely in good shape.
The radio thing is probably an "iffy" connection in the power lead---maybe the fuse holder.

merlynr · Oct 5, 2014

Could be a possible bad ground like engine to body on the firewall for example.

Janicholson · Oct 5, 2014

If the battery cable went bad, jump starting it probably fried the chassis to engine ground strap. it is about 8 gauge or less and will not take starting load. When fried, the grounding system is iffy and things seek ground in very weird ways. Take a jumper cable and connect from the chassis to the engine, if that fixes it, you know what to repair. Jim

Battery alternator??

e-manhunt

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Brownie450

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merlynr

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Janicholson

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