Battery or alternator?

[Dasher]

I have a 95 Windstar 3.8L

Recently the battery light appeared very dimly. It seems to have good voltage. I cleaned the terminals and inspected the cells to test for specific gravity. I could not even fill the tester. Could this be the problem with my batt light? I filled the cells with distilled water and charged it with a charger. i still get the DIM batt light. How long might it take for the cells to get a good read on the tester? The specific gravity is very low now as I would expect with new water added.

I don't get much of a voltage change with the voltmeter across the battery with the engine running. Is this indicative of the alternator being bad? Or the battery to old or bad cells and not show a charge. Should I take a reading elsewhere to get a better picture of the alternators output?

Thanks for your help. Great forum!

DASHER

[reekor]

You should see around 13.5 to 14.5 volts with the engine running. When the battery light comes on the dash its ment to show an alternator problem and not a battery problem. Replace the alternator and have the battery checked to make sure that it's still within spec since its old, most auto parts stores will test your battery for free.

Originally Posted by Dasher

I have a 95 Windstar 3.8L

Recently the battery light appeared very dimly. It seems to have good voltage. I cleaned the terminals and inspected the cells to test for specific gravity. I could not even fill the tester. Could this be the problem with my batt light? I filled the cells with distilled water and charged it with a charger. i still get the DIM batt light. How long might it take for the cells to get a good read on the tester? The specific gravity is very low now as I would expect with new water added.

I don't get much of a voltage change with the voltmeter across the battery with the engine running. Is this indicative of the alternator being bad? Or the battery to old or bad cells and not show a charge. Should I take a reading elsewhere to get a better picture of the alternators output?

Thanks for your help. Great forum!

DASHER

[Dasher]

Thanks. Let me be more specific before I get a new Alternator. Are there ways to measure output of the ALT itself and then check the wiring? I'd hate to buy an ALT to find the wires are bad between it and the Batt.

Also, If I must replace the alternator I'd like to try one from a salvage yard to save money as I won't be hanging on to this car much longer. Are there other model years that have the same alternator to widen my selection of availabe units?

I have a 95 Windstar 3.8L with a gray voltage regulator.

Thanks

Dasher

[kahjdh]

I know advance does on car testing which is nice but you have to get it there if that may be a problem.

[wiswind]

Auto part stores, such as Advance Auto Parts and AutoZone will test your alternator for FREE.