White Lightning having issues!! PLEASE HELP!!!

[Mark B]

hey all and HOIPEFULLY someone can help a fellow out... Having problems with the ol' truck.. 97 ranger 2wd with the 3.0 liter v6.. 250k on her.. Shes ugly but gets the job done.. here's the issue. last week on my way home I notice the battery gauge slowly moving down, then when i come to a stop it goes back up.. So, on the way home I stop at Les Schwab's to get the battery checked (Because its still under warranty, Bought less than a year ago). Battery tests OK, but when they go to start it to move it back out of the bay the starter fries.. (Which was also replaced with a $40 dollar jobby about a year ago, same as the battery).. I have it towed home the other 2 1/2 miles, Oh sooo clsoe.. On saturday I call my Mechanic friend (who always works on her, and my mothers and grandma's car when something comes up, So i trust him because the LABOR IS FREE) he comes over.. Puts a new starter in, Boom starter fixed.. he checks out the battery, Alternator.. Solenoid.. connections, charging system.. etc.. Everything checks out.. We drive it around the block No Problem.. yesterday the gauge starts moving again. the battery light flickers in the morning but never stays on (Only in the morning) Dash lights go dim but the headlights do not.. sometimes it shows regular reading on the gauge, sometimes it doesnt.. It moves around like a gas gauge when you go around sharp corners or when you go down or up a hill... Could I have a faulty gauge cluster in the truck???, means how old it is I know with its age things wear out.. he told me just drive it and if I have any problems just call him.. CAN ANYONE HELP?? has anyone else had this Problem?? Thanks, You guys are the best!! Me and My buddy are completely perturbed and confused on this !!!

[wraithen]

Get a spark chaser. Sounds like a wire is missing some of its... well... wire. Chances are good it will continue doing this until the wire finally loses enough of itself and then overheats. Good luck if this is the case. You could also try leaving the truck running and wiggling stuff til you recreate the issue. Might take a while and way more patience than I have. And it may not even work.

[Mark B]

Yeah, I'll try that if me changing the Alternator doesn't work.. just did some searching which I guess I could of done.. But im a dummy sometimes.. Got on a couple Ranger Forums and seems to be a common problem.. (My buddy actually works at a Ford dealership but works on heavy diesels (NORTHSIDE FORD)and hasn't had anytime to look into it but is going to check the TSB, (Some problem hotline Ford has that send bulletins for problems i guess) Supposedly everything will check like its charging but its 98 percent of the time the Alternator giving a false reading tot he Battery?? IDK.. Something with a bearing inside it.. So this weekend Im gonna throw one at it, then see if it works... I guess this post was kinda pre-emptive before I actually let my friend check on stuff.. Me with out the patience I guess, IS it DEER SEASON YET!! . Thanks though!

[wraithen]

I had one of those Alternators on my focus once, (don't ask me, ford did it at the factory!) I had to change out the alternator because it died and it took about 3 days before it melted the old wire. I threw on a shorter bigger wire and never had a problem after that. Just thought I'd mention that in case yours does the same thing. Oh and I didn't even think the Voltage Regulator when you said that problem. Too bad they're internal on most alternators.

[Mark B]

Im pretty sure its the stock alternator from 97.. And with 250,000 miles on it i've just been waiting for things to go wrong.. Im just tired of throwing money at it like a stripper and not getting any get back, You know what im saying??.. Lmao.. The radio doesn't work.. Burns a little bit of oil.. Pretty sure the tranny is about to go out.. TIME FOR A NEW RIG!!! but in the meantime.. I gotta keep her happy.. Good Karma for future vehicles!