93 Explorer Charging System Problem

BrooklynBay said:

Welcome to this forum! You might have a high current fuse blown out.

Click to expand...

mattbguitar said:

I noticed that the charging light on my Explorer stayed on so I checked the running volatge at the battery. It was only about 11.6V. I know for a fact that the alternator is working because it has been tried on another vehicle. I have no idea where to start looking for a problem. One thing though, I noticed that the running lights both stayed on fine, but when I turn on the actual headlights, the drivers side light goes off completely.

Another thing, although it may be unrelated, the vehicle lacks alot of power when going up hills. I probably just need a new fuel filter though.

Any ideas?

Click to expand...

XxxMonoxideChild said:

i just went through a similar thing. truck wouldnt charge. after replacing the alt, battery, battery terminals, starter relay, running a ground to the alt, all new charge wire, and even OEM wiring harness with plugs. my truck STILL wouldnt charge.

ended up being a bad ignition relay....? i still dont get the reason why, but our trucks alt dont just charge the battery when the engine is on. the ignition relay has to inform the alt also that the motor is on, and to charge the battery. to me, that sounds like complicating things alot more then they need to be, but the fact is, ford decided they liked that idea.


not saying the same issue is what your dealing with, but if you get to the end of your rope replacing EVERYTHING, and it still doesnt work, try it. it took me weeks to fix this issue till i figured this out.

one exception though. my charge light never came on at all. and the voltage was getting so low, the truck stranded me a few time's, so it really should have.

Click to expand...

XxxMonoxideChild said:

i just went through a similar thing. truck wouldnt charge. after replacing the alt, battery, battery terminals, starter relay, running a ground to the alt, all new charge wire, and even OEM wiring harness with plugs. my truck STILL wouldnt charge.

ended up being a bad ignition relay....? i still dont get the reason why, but our trucks alt dont just charge the battery when the engine is on. the ignition relay has to inform the alt also that the motor is on, and to charge the battery. to me, that sounds like complicating things alot more then they need to be, but the fact is, ford decided they liked that idea.


not saying the same issue is what your dealing with, but if you get to the end of your rope replacing EVERYTHING, and it still doesnt work, try it. it took me weeks to fix this issue till i figured this out.

one exception though. my charge light never came on at all. and the voltage was getting so low, the truck stranded me a few time's, so it really should have.

Click to expand...