Replaced the alternator and battery after having the battery light come on while driving. The thing is, is that the battery light is still on after replacing the battery and alternator.... Need help...

 

What is your voltage with the truck idling?

 

The battery meter is in the middle.... it used to be around 3/4's of the way up...... And with the truck not running its a little above 8 (where 12 would be. normal) 4.2l. I put the 95amp alt in it.

 

When you first replaced it, did the battery light ever go off? Is it charging at all, meaning when the truck is running the voltage is higher then with the truck is off? If so is your belt lose/worn?

 

Belt is very tight.... The battery light turned on before i replaced the alt... thats why i did it. Voltage is a tad higher but the battery light is still on....

 

make sure u dont have a broken signal wire on back of alt.

 

How do your battery cables and connectors look? Are they corroded?

 

Idk, sometimes the reconditioned alternators they sell are bad. Sounds like is charging some, but maybe not enough. I'm not sure on the 4.2 but would think it should be around 14 volts when running. Maybe the belt is slipping some, I don't know how old it is. Even though its tight, sometimes when its worn it will slip. Either way if its not charging enough the battery light will come one. I'd try changing the belt. Sorry wish I could be of more help.

 

The battery cables are fine. I will check the signal wire tommorrow and get the alt tested.. Thanks

 

You really can't go by what the dash guage is telling you. Too many variables and not acurate enough. Get a multi-meter from Sears for about $10-15 and check the output at the alternator. Next check the output at the battery. Bad output at the alternator means a bad alternator. Aftermarket ones are notorious. Good at the alternator and bad at the battery means bad cables in between. The low price of a multi-meter is worth ten times the aggravation of trying to diagnose without it. If you have a bad cable, you can disconnect them from the battery and do a continuity test with the same meter to find the problem.

Good luck.