Charging Issue

[NODAK86]

Hi all, first post here. Tried to diagnose through search w/ no solution found.

Vehicle: 2001 Explorer Sport.

Problem: Left key in "on" position nearly all day, completely draining battery.
Went to start- started, idled, then died.

Tried to jump, however, when cables were removed from my vehicle, my vehicle idled very low, lights dim and eventually died. Battery light remained on.

10amp charged battery for an afternoon. Started fine, however, the battery light was still on, and my battery gauge would not increase or go above the "L" indicator when I took for test drive. Lights seemed dim.

Points of interest: My battery and alternator are only around a year or so old. When I open my door, I am hearing no "ding" "ding" "ding" like I usually do w/ key in the ignition.

I suppose my alternator could be bad already. This would be my THIRD alternator in 3 years. I do not think the last time it went out I had no door chime.

Please help! I truly appreciate any feedback!

 

[drbenz]

Have you checked the alternator fuse in the battery junction box?

 

[koda2000]

if you completely discharged your battery (which i guess you did) even a 10 AMP charger would need to be left on for a long time to bring it back up to a charged state. if you have a 1000 AMP battery which is flat, do the math. as far as the alternator not charging i think it's just because your battery is sooo completey discharged. i also think your alt may not putting out the amount of juice it's supposed to. once you get the battery fully charged get the alternator tested. also, it's a bad idea to expect your alternator to charge a flat battery, even if you can can keep the vehicle running. you'll just end up burning out your alterntor. many an alternator has been been killed by a bad battery.

 

[NODAK86]

Have you checked the alternator fuse in the battery junction box?

Looking at the manual, I don't see a fuse labeled alternator, on board, or underhood.

Any idea which fuse it is?

 

[Erik727]

# alts in 3 yrs ?? Are you buying the Autozone/oreilly specials ?? You will be replacing them every year if that's the case....They are very high failure items..Their Lifetime Guarantee ,doesn't mean squat when they're going out all the time..My time is worth more ..Yours should be too..Pay the cash,,and get a good alternator from motorcraft.

Koda2000 is spot on here,,,Let your battery charge completely on the charger,,,get alt ck'd while it's charging...Alternators are not meant "to charge" batteries,,they're meant to maintain the charge..It would take days of driving for the alt to "charge" the battery.

Good luck to ya !!

 

[drbenz]

Looking at the manual, I don't see a fuse labeled alternator, on board, or underhood.

Any idea which fuse it is?

My diagram shows it as fuse 14, a 30 amp.

 

[NODAK86]

Well I went to autozone and had the alternator and battery tested. Guy said I had a shot alternator, so I purchased another. Replaced it outside (its 5 deg F here right now, sucked!), and HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.

It seemed to get even worse from here. I started to drive my car home and it stalled a bunch of times on the drive home, to the point where I finally pulled over and left it in residential. It almost seems like its not getting any gas. It just chugs then dies, starts chugs then dies. Not sure if it could even be a battery or alternator problem since it starts fine everytime, lights worked, etc, it just dies and doesnt respond when i give it gas.

Are these symptoms of fuel pump failure???

Anyone have any ideas???

 

[koda2000]

if it's 5 degrees F out, you might have some water in your fuel system which is freezing and blocking the fuel flow. i'd put in a bottle of HEET, two if your tanks full.

 

[corkey]

next time charge the battery first before starting after a new alternator or you are killing it as soon as it starts,,
it requires a newly charged battery or the diodes and regulator go bad ,