Charging System Problem

[spc]

New problem, new week. My battery keeps dying. I don't get any light on the dash until the battery is almost dead. Then it just says to check the charging system. The battery holds the charge just fine, but when I drive it slowly loses power. So I had the parts store guy check the battery and the alternator. Both checked out just fine.

Is this a case of the the alternator working for a little while and then once everything heats up it doesn't work anymore? I don't know what else to do short of just replacing the alternator.

Should there be a light that comes on if the alternator isn't charging?

Stumped.

Thanks for looking.

 

[therealblinky]

Just replace both and be done with it

 

[flutyr525]

i had a similar issue...both checked out fine in a test. replaced the battery and havent had the problem since. i didnt have any lights or problems except the battery would be dead after the truck was off for a period of time.

 

[spc]

I bit the bullet and replaced the alternator. Half an hour later and the truck was charging the battery again.

 

[BigRondo]

GLad you got it fixed. :biggthump

 

[Terwilleger]

my wife called me and says the charging system error is going nuts everytime she hits a bump any awnsers?

 

[Turdle]

my wife called me and says the charging system error is going nuts everytime she hits a bump any awnsers?

Welcome. I deleted your other thread to keep it in the existing one.

Somewhere I have read about the main battery harness being chaffed under the engine somewhere causing this type of intermittent symptom.

Edit found it. it is a sticky.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=287097

 

[FordFool2]

If you have the 4.6L engine then you may have the starter wire chaffing down by the oil filter drip shield which is worth checking as Turdle recommends. A year ago our 04 had an erratic "check charging system" messages for a while. I hooked up a meter and loaded the alternator down with all the electric loads and it did fine on voltage. However, I took it apart to find the brushes worn down and the commutator/slip rings with corrosion. I replaced the alternator and no alarms since.

You may have a loose connection at the alternator since it is alarming on bumps.