Battery/charging issue

[apanello]

2003 ford explorer 4.0- running at idle in a parking lot, a/c max. I notice the abs light turn on, radio turn off, and the charging meter drop to just below min. I revved the engine, no change. I shut the engine off, now it won't start, starter clicks. Is this a battery, alternator????

 

[FordFool2]

I would pull the alternator and have it tested.

 

[apanello]

What about a new battery?

 

[Bierisch]

Are your terminals clean and getting a good connection on the battery?

 

[Exproblems]

2003 ford explorer 4.0- now it won't start, starter clicks. Is this a battery, alternator????

A repetitive clicking sound from the starter when you turn the key over to start the vehicle usually means you have a dead battery. You could also have a bad alternator which led to the dead battery problem and the alt/charging meter dropping below level and loss of radio power etc. Have "both tested" at a parts store, usually done for free of charge there. If you alternator is shot, your vehicle's electrical system ran on "battery power only" till it ran out of juice.

 

[D Hook]

And a bad alternator can ruin even a new battery.

 

[apanello]

Got a new battery, same problem only slower. What is it?

 

[imp]

Got a new battery, same problem only slower. What is it?

Slower what? Clicking? If battery is fully charged, and battery terminals, the connections, are clean and tight, and click is all you get, the trouble is down below, at the starter motor. Either the starter relay is bad, or the motor itself. Get a new starter, put it in, and your troubles are likely fixed. imp

 

[apanello]

No, it ran fine today until tonight. The voltage dropped slowly into nothingness.

 

[Exproblems]

Got a new battery, same problem only slower. What is it?

Buying a new battery without getting the alternator tested first along with the old battery could wind up being a waste of money. If you have a bad alternator, your new battery maybe ruined in a short period of time, because these vehicles cannot run on battery power only and your new battery will not be re-charged by a bad alternator. Run the battery dead of power enough times and the cells inside of the battery can be damaged. Have the alternator tested at a parts store soon. The battery's job is to provide start up power to start the engine, the alternators job is to run the vehicles electrical system and re-charge the battery as the engine runs.

 

[apanello]

Update: new alternator 130amp replacing stock 90amp alternator. Truck voltage staying around 14.0 to 13.8. Looks like it was the alternator!

For future reference, if you see the electrical gauge slowly dropping to red and then the truck shuts off, it is probably the alternator.

Resolved!

 

[D Hook]

Thanks for following up and posting the solution. Much appreciated.