Battery light?

[runvsofthisbull]

So recently I've noticed when I come to a stop my voltmeter drops down a few notches when my car comes to a stop and the battery light comes on if I get around 3,000 RPM. I'm pretty sure this is due to me having a bad alternator. I had the battery checked this past Thursday and it was good, however the bat light still comes on when I get over 3,000 RPM and the voltmeter drops to about 40% of the gauge's level. So I suspect the alternator is going bad. This is the second one I've had and the car has 110K miles on it, but I just wanted to see if anyone else has had the problem before I go and take out my alternator. Thanks for your input.

[SpectorV]

check the alternator and see if it is bad, I cant think of anything that would cause them to keep going bad really unless there is some wiring issues at work but I dont see that being a problem.

[DarkShadows]

alternator forsure. do you keep going back with a ford one or aftermarket?

[runvsofthisbull]

The car was under warranty when the first alternator went so I went with a Ford replacement. Is there an aftermarket alternator that is worth buying? I figure most alternators only have the life of about 50-70K miles anyway, but if there is a better alternator that you would suggest I will go with it, otherwise I'll just buy a replacement for now since my warranty is gone.

[DarkShadows]

Originally Posted by runvsofthisbull

The car was under warranty when the first alternator went so I went with a Ford replacement. Is there an aftermarket alternator that is worth buying? I figure most alternators only have the life of about 50-70K miles anyway, but if there is a better alternator that you would suggest I will go with it, otherwise I'll just buy a replacement for now since my warranty is gone.

no not really but if you do go aftermarket, make sure its a good quality one like from Napa, Carquest, or Bumper 2 Bumper. Me i would go back with a motorcraft thou IMO.

[SpectorV]

I would just go with ford, go to Tousley Ford Parts Depot and price one to see how it goes

[runvsofthisbull]

Thanks. I bought a new Motorcraft alternator for $215 (with a lifetime warranty). I have it sitting in the correct position bolted up, but its too dark now so I think I'll wait until tomorrow. However, I was having trouble with the belt tensionor. I bought a 1/2 inch breaker bar and tried to stick the square end into the tensionor, however upon further investigation the tensionor has some sort of Asterisk looking bolt, not simply square as I thought it would be. Has anyone had to do this? I'm pretty much stuck, because I can't obviously pull the belt over the new alternator pulley due to the tension. Help me please....LOL, but thanks for your help thus far.