Battery light still on..........

[1996Z15]

Two weeks ago, while driving to work, I noticed that the amp gauge on the dash was reading very close to the "L". I had been told by my mechanic that the alternator was on its way out which would make sense.

Rather than take any chances, I drove the truck home. By the time I pulled up to my house the gauge was very close to the "L" and my battery light was flickering. pulled the battery, connected it to my CTek charger and ordered some parts. I figured I would step things up and ordered a 200 amp alternator as I read where it is compatible with my vehicle and is a fairly common upgrade.

I also ordered a new idler pulley, new tensioner and a new starter solenoid.

So today I install the alternator which, BTW, was not a drop in. The bolt pattern on the alternator I received did not match my factory original and I was only able to use two of the bolt holes. I changed out the idler pulley and installed the starter solenoid. (The new tensioner didn't arrive in time so it will have to be changed at another time)

I start the truck up and it fires right up; the gauge initially reads close to the "L" but slowly creeps up to the middle of the range. The only problem I am having is the battery light is on now, not flickering but on solid.
My neighbor suggested that the charger didn't fully charge the battery and that I should take the truck for a drive. So I took it for a 45 minute drive and the light is still on. The truck seems to be running fine, no hesitation or stumbling and no indication that it wants to stall.

Any idea why the light might be on? Could it be as simple as the battery is just bad and needs to be replaced?

 

[waskly]

wrong alternator.

 

[1996Z15]

Can you expand on that please? The Ebay auction stated that the alternator was compatible with my truck. I know, I probably shouldn't have bought it through Ebay but, like I said, the ad said it was compatible and I had read on this forum that plenty of guys had upgraded from a 130 amp to a 200 amp with no issues.

 

[white_shadow]

why do you need the extra 70 amps?

 

[1996Z15]

I probably don't but figured why not?

 

[white_shadow]

I probably don't but figured why not?

with the trouble you are having with the high output alt, go get the stock replacement, install it and report back.

 

[1996Z15]

Will driving it with the 200 amp alternator installed do any damage until I can get the stock replacement installed?

 

[waskly]

Can you expand on that please? The Ebay auction stated that the alternator was compatible with my truck. I know, I probably shouldn't have bought it through Ebay but, like I said, the ad said it was compatible and I had read on this forum that plenty of guys had upgraded from a 130 amp to a 200 amp with no issues.

simple, it does not fit, it probably not set up or even has the right parts for an explorer, this is also why the light is still on.

its the wrong alt. if it was made for an ex, it would fit like the original.

 

[gonenuke]

Have you checked battery voltage and voltage coming from the alternator? I know its new alternator, but is it putting out the correct power load and is your battery good.