So halfway down the trail while wheeling today my battery charge light came on and my fuel gauge and temp gauge died. By the time I got back to the trailhead (2-3 hours) my battery died. I charged it off a friends truck for 10 mins or so, then made it for another mile or two before it died again. Charged it again for 45 mins and it only lasted for 100 yards. Im thinkin bad battery (its kinda in the middle of nowhere, didn't have a battery tester) and not a bad alt. Especially since the battery wouldn't take a charge the second time i tried to charge it. I replaced the brushes in the alt about 8000 miles ago so they should be fine. Also its just the battery charge light on and not the brake light. Maybe a wire is shorting out somewhere? Or a blown fuse? Im hoping its a bad battery since ill have to bring another one up there to drive it home anyways.

It's a definitely a bad battery, but your alternator could have killed it. I'd take a junkyard alternator up there with you too just in case. And a clean empty 5ga bucket, since you'll probably have to remove the lower radiator hose to get the alternator out.

I carry a $5 multimeter in my toolbox for exactly this situation, you need to hit Harbor Freight.

So the problem turned out to be a blown fuse (bottom middle 15 amp in the cabin). Ive taken the alt out before wasn't looking forward to doing it again, glad I figured it out before started takin shit apart. Unfortunately the fuse blew again five mins down the road. Now I just gotta hunt down whatevers grounding out. Nothing obvious unfortunately.

Good luck!

Man I hate electrical problems...

Anybody know what else is on that circuit besides turn signals, fuel and temp gauge and alt? Cant find the bad wire, Im almost to the point where I'm gonna stick some wire in the fuse and look for smoke...

Also, the fuse will blow without the engine on, just the key turned to the on position.

Inspect , check back-up light switch and wiring for chafes and shorts to ground... My post here:

Ruby Tuesday - rad4runner's Mods and Restoration