Did My Alternator Go Out?

[SDMorris]

So my truck got to spend the night at 7/11.

When I pulled in, it started doing the whole purging thing where the revs would drop low then high and it'd almost die. I noticed my voltage was right at about 12.9 when I pulled in. As soon as I parked, it died, the battery light came on, and it wouldnt start. I have the stock everlast battery up front, and a Kinetik HC800 in the truck. The vehicle is a 1997 Ford Ranger 4.0.

I figured if it was my battery(ies) that it wouldnt have died in the manor it did, or at all for that matter, it would have simply not started up after the next time I turned it off, since while the motor is running the alternator should have been making enough power to keep it running. Right? Oh and FYI I was not playing the system loud and had not been for the whole night, I was driving around with a good friend who I havent seen in awhile and we were catching up and talking the whole time until it died.

Please help me out guys! Thanks!

[SDMorris]

Oh, and I can still run the speakers with the key in the accessory position. I had the subs off though cause I didnt want to drain that much voltage. Any ideas?????????

[chewie]

take a volt meter and check the voltage of the batterys.. put them on charge.. and try and start your car.. then recheck voltage while running if it isnt 14 or higher than it isnt charging..

Edited May 18, 2010 by chewie

[95_1500]

^^^ what he said

If your voltage was at 12.9 when you pulled in its more than likely the alt. What does it normally run at once warmed up?

Edited May 18, 2010 by 95_1500

[SDMorris]

14.0v, 13.9v......... I didnt look down until I heard the first little baby purge it did, so thats what the meter read when It started acting up

[95_1500]

Yeah it sounds like it died... Do like chewie said if possible. Otherwise go ahead and replace it, i think its safe to say thats your problem right there

[SDMorris]

take a volt meter and check the voltage of the batterys.. put them on charge.. and try and start your car.. then recheck voltage while running if it isnt 14 or higher than it isnt charging..

Ok thanks i'll do that. I am gonna go tow it to my step dads shop right now.

Time to call DC Power?

Edited May 18, 2010 by SDMorris

[chewie]

time to call iraggi

[chewie]

or go buy a lifetime alternator from autozone.

then return your broke one two weeks later as the one you bought then you have two stock alts.. add the amperage together.. woot!!

[SDMorris]

lol. I called DC Power right now, Dave said that he wouldnt suspect the alternator as the problem since I could still crank the motor, which does make sense, cause I should have been just about dry on power.