Explorer wont start.

[ars_lurker]

1997 Explorer 5.0 AWD

Problems started last night. The parking lights would not shut off. I pulled the fuse to keep the battery from draining. Put the fuse back in this morning and tried to start the truck. all lights were dim and it just had a rapid clicking.

Jumped the truck. ABS light stays on constantly. No other warning lights are on. If I keep the RPMs above 1200, the battery gauge will stay around the middle. If idle drops, the needle goes all the way down to "L" pretty quickly and the dash lights start to flicker.

Battery was replaced with a new DieHard Gold. Alternator is about 2 years old. Battery cables are clean and tight. Charger is on the battery now.

Any ideas?

 

[ars_lurker]

additional info:

Voltage across battery was 13.2
Voltage across battery at idle was between 13.2 and 13.4
Voltage across battery at higher RPM did not level out and was between 13.9 and 14.9

Does the voltage range indicate that a new voltage regulator is in my future? Shouldnt the idle voltage be higher?