Unknown Alternator Problem

[damionluther]

Hello and Thank You in advance for any advice or tips,

I have a 94 Ford Explorer XLT, V6, 4L.

I have a new battery with new terminals and have just installed a new alternator. I checked the circuit with a test light and have inspected the wiring and everything seems to be connected properly. However the alternator is still not charging the battery, which I confirmed with a voltage meter. If anyone could recommend what might be going wrong and how to fix it I would really appreciate it.

Thanks,

- David

 

[1998Explodasport]

It's possible that you got a bad alternator from the auto parts store. That's happened to me many times.

 

[Willard]

First, battery cables. In many instances simply replacing the ends will not fix them. The cables tend to rot from the inside out, thus making them look fine but in actuality about half the cable is gone from the inside.

Second thing to check would be grounds. The negative battery cable is the biggest ground, it runs from the battery to the motor and back to the frame to connect everything. Once again if it has started corroding from the inside then it could be the culprit. One way to test for ground problems is to test voltage using different areas for the negative side of the meter. For instance, test it with the meter grounded on the alternator bracket, on the body, and at the actual battery. Any voltage differences will point to ground problems. You can always add grounds if need be, just to be sure. You need a good ground from the frame to the body, body to the motor, and frame to the motor.

Third, check out this:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=246387&highlight=alternator
and this:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=220753&highlight=voltage+issues

Hopefully one of these things will help out your problem.

 

[burgundy1994xlt]

First, battery cables. In many instances simply replacing the ends will not fix them. The cables tend to rot from the inside out, thus making them look fine but in actuality about half the cable is gone from the inside.

Second thing to check would be grounds. The negative battery cable is the biggest ground, it runs from the battery to the motor and back to the frame to connect everything. Once again if it has started corroding from the inside then it could be the culprit. One way to test for ground problems is to test voltage using different areas for the negative side of the meter. For instance, test it with the meter grounded on the alternator bracket, on the body, and at the actual battery. Any voltage differences will point to ground problems. You can always add grounds if need be, just to be sure. You need a good ground from the frame to the body, body to the motor, and frame to the motor.

Third, check out this:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=246387&highlight=alternator
and this:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=220753&highlight=voltage+issues

Hopefully one of these things will help out your problem.

X2, check them cables

 

[burgundy1994xlt]

Hello and Thank You in advance for any advice or tips,

I have a 94 Ford Explorer XLT, V6, 4L.

I have a new battery with new terminals and have just installed a new alternator. I checked the circuit with a test light and have inspected the wiring and everything seems to be connected properly. However the alternator is still not charging the battery, which I confirmed with a voltage meter. If anyone could recommend what might be going wrong and how to fix it I would really appreciate it.

Thanks,

- David

And welcome to the forum. You will find this place is a great source.