This afternoon when the started the explorer, not for the first time today, the alternator light came on and the charging needle was quite low near to the bottom, but still showing a charging level. This has continued.
The belt has correct tension, lots of tension left for the tensioner to move, i checked the battery cables they are fine. I took the alternator off and looked at the brushes they seemed fine, although i have no comparsion of what a new set would look like, but the ones in there have a fare bit of material left on them. I put the alternator back on and the problem was just as before. The haynes manual seems to suggest that if the charging light continues on it is because of either poor belt tension or a faulty alternator.
My question is there anything else that it could be before i go and invest in a new alternator???
The belt has correct tension, lots of tension left for the tensioner to move, i checked the battery cables they are fine. I took the alternator off and looked at the brushes they seemed fine, although i have no comparsion of what a new set would look like, but the ones in there have a fare bit of material left on them. I put the alternator back on and the problem was just as before. The haynes manual seems to suggest that if the charging light continues on it is because of either poor belt tension or a faulty alternator.
My question is there anything else that it could be before i go and invest in a new alternator???