2001 Ford Expedition Logo
Posted on Oct 07, 2009
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The red battery light on my 2001 Ford Expedition 4.6L (73,000 miles) just came on tonight. Is it the alternator, belt, tensioner, or just battery cables? Replaced battery less than 2 years ago with Optima Red Top battery. Where do I start troubleshooting? I live in Alaska and cold weather is already here, so I don't want to fool around with a failing alternator. Is the alternator hard to change on this year of Expedition?

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  • Posted on Oct 07, 2009
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The alternator change is not that difficult. I would take the vehicle to an autoparts store and have them test the alternator output. Check the battery cables and make sure they are clear of corrosion and are tight. A parts store can also test the condition of the battery. Most parts stores will check the alternator output and battery for free. If you visit the autozone.com website, you can also register your vehicle information and have access to an online repair manual that will show the procedures for changing the alternator if it is necessary. Sorry for your trouble and I hope this helped. Best wishes.

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Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

1998 expedition yesturday was low on fuel got gas drove with headlights on got 4 miles down road vehicle died thought was bad gas 3hrs later vehicle would run but abs light and brake light would flash
There is a problem in the electrics of the vehicle. First place to start is to check the alternator drive belt for condition and tension. Next place is the battery terminals and condition and tension . Third place is to have a load test done on the battery as it may have an internal short and drawing all the current from the alternator. In effect when you add power requirements ( park lights then brake lights then headlights) you are actually using more current than the alternator can supply to keep the engine system running.
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Nov 22, 2014 • 1998 Ford Expedition
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Why is my check charging system light is on?
may be a bad alternator, bad battery, or your serpentine belt is loose. go to autozone and let them do a load test on battery and alternator. additionally if sepentine belt tensioner is loose then you may need to buy another tensioner. all are real easy fixes
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Jun 26, 2014 • 2004 Ford Expedition
0helpful
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Alternator
Here you go. Hope this helps :)

Instructions
    • 1
      Lift the Expedition's hood manually. Remove the negative battery cable end from the negative battery terminal using the battery wrench. Make sure to put the cable end in a place where it cannot accidentally contact the battery during the repairicon1.png.
    • 2
      Examine the serpentine belt routing diagram for the location of the Expedition's automatic belt tensioner. The Expedition's belt routing diagram is on the fan shroud.


    • 3
      Move the automatic belt tensioner off the belt with the serpentine belt tool. Pull the belt off the alternator pulley by hand before releasing the pressure on the tensioner with the tool and allowing the tensioner to slowly move back into position.
    • 4
      Remove the Expedition's charging circuit harness from the back of the alternator by hand. Remove the ground strap for the alternator's ground stud using the socket set.
    • 5
      Remove the mounting bolts that hold the alternator to the alternator bracket using the socket set. Lift the alternator out of the Expedition's engine bay by hand. Set the replacement alternator into the alternator bracket manually.
    • 6
      Install the alternator mounting bolts by hand first and then tighten them with the socket set. Connect the charging circuit harness by hand. Bolt the ground strap to the ground stud with the socket set.
    • 7
      Reinstall the serpentine belt onto the alternator pulley by reversing your removal method. Bolt the negative battery cableicon1.png back onto the battery using the battery wrench. Close the Expedition's hood.
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Jul 24, 2013 • 2001 Ford Expedition
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1answer

I need to know how to loosen the serpentine belt on my Expedition to change the alternator.
take a wrench to the drive belt tensor which is a spring loaded pulley off center from the belt path. this is what provides the tension on the belt.
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Jul 02, 2011 • 2001 Ford Expedition
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1answer

My car was sputtering withe battery light on. I checked the battery, and it was fine. The alternator was going out. I changed the alternator and put all serpentine belt on correctly. Now when I turn...
Is the alternator putting out 14+ volts when it is running? If so is it a cheap alternator? The bearings might be bad. Could be water pump or anything the belt drives such as the A/C. Have the battery tested ASAP then the alternator.
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May 18, 2011 • 2003 Ford Expedition
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2001 Subaru Outback wagon LLBean, 140,000 miles. There was a strong burning smell tonight, likes brakes. Then there was a pop sound. Then brake warning light came on, then battery light came on, then the...
Sounds like the belt let go and maybe got jammed on the way out. The belt power the alternator, power steering pump and water pump etc. Check for a seized pulley as well. Sometimes the little bearings go.
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Jan 03, 2011 • 2001 Subaru Outback
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1answer

Dont know which bolt loosens the belt for alternator changeing. please help 1998 ford expedition. 4.6 liter.
A 3/8" ratchet is needed to attached to the belt tensioner which will allow you to releive the tension to remove and to reinstall the belt. It will fit right inside the square 3/8" square hole on the tensioner
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Jul 24, 2010 • 1998 Ford Expedition
0helpful
2answers

Driving down the road in an 2003 expedtion the battery light came on and the level dropped turned off a/c and radio and the light went off keeps doing this whats the problem???
Your alternator is most likely at fault... OR you may have a loose of faulty battery cable
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Jun 28, 2010 • 2001 Ford Expedition
8helpful
1answer

Remove and replace alternator
2000 Ford Truck Expedition 4WD 4.6L EFI 8cyl

Alternator - REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

4.2L Engine
  1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
  2. Disconnect 2 alternator and voltage regulator electrical harness connectors at the alternator. To disconnect push-on type terminals, depress the lock tab and pull straight off.
  3. Remove the positive battery cable nut and remove the positive battery cable at the alternator.
  4. Rotate the drive belt tensioner away from the drive belt and remove the drive belt from the alternator pulley.
  5. Remove 3 alternator retaining bolts and remove the alternator.
To install:
  1. Place the alternator on the engine and install 3 alternator retaining bolts. Tighten the bolts to 18-22 ft. lbs. (20-30 Nm).
  2. Rotate the drive belt tensioner away from the drive belt and install the drive belt on the alternator pulley.
  3. Connect 2 alternator and voltage regulator electrical harness connectors.
  4. Connect the positive battery cable to the alternator and install the nut and washer. Tighten the nut to 84 inch lbs. (10 Nm).
  5. Connect the negative battery cable.
  6. Start the engine and check for proper charging system operation.
4.6L, 5.4L and 6.8L Engines

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Fig. 1 Detach the connectors from the alternator

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Fig. 2 Remove the nut and the battery cable from the post on the rear of the alternator

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Fig. 3 Remove the 2 front alternator mounting bolts and ...

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 Fig. 4 Remove the alternator from the engine by carefully lifting it up and...

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Fig. 5 ... out of the engine compartment
  1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
  2. Rotate the drive belt tensioner away from the drive belt and remove the drive belt from the alternator pulley.
  3. Detach the electrical harness connectors at the alternator assembly.
  4. Disconnect the positive battery cable and remove the nut and washer.
  5. Remove 2 front alternator bolts.
  6. Remove the rear alternator support bracket retaining bolts and the support bracket.
  7. Remove the alternator from the vehicle.
To install:
  1. Place the alternator in position and loosely install 2 front alternator retaining bolts.
  2. Install the alternator bracket and 3 alternator bracket bolts. Tighten to 84 inch lbs. (10 Nm).
  3. Tighten 2 front alternator retaining bolts to 19 ft. lbs. (26 Nm).
  4. Connect 2 electrical harness connectors to the alternator assembly.
  5. Connect the positive battery cable and install the nut and washer. Tighten the nut to 72 inch lbs. (8 Nm).
  6. Rotate the drive belt tensioner away from the drive belt and install the drive belt on the alternator pulley.
  7. Connect the negative battery cable.
  8. Start the engine and check for proper charging system operation.
5.8L and 7.5L Gasoline Engines and 7.3L Diesel Engine
  1. Disconnect the battery ground cable.
  2. Label and detach the connectors from the alternator.
  3. Release the tensioner and remove the drive belt from the alternator pulley.
  4. Remove the alternator retaining bolts.
  5. Remove the alternator from the vehicle.
To install:
  1. Position the alternator and install the retaining bolts. Tighten the retaining bolts to 15-21 ft. lbs. (21-29 Nm).
  2. Install the drive belt.
  3. Attach the alternator connectors.
  4. Connect the battery ground cable.

I really hope help you with this (remember rated this help) Good luck.
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Oct 13, 2009 • 2000 Ford Expedition
0helpful
1answer

I've lost contact where'd you go?
Get the battery tested first, then the alternator belt for tension and finally the alternator charging rate output is OK.
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Jan 13, 2009 • 1999 Ford Expedition
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