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Alternator and/or battery
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hevy
New User
Dec 22, 2013, 1:05 PM
Post #1 of 8
(1900 views)
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Alternator and/or battery
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I have a 2000 Ford Windstar, 165000 mile, v6, 3.8, and have had nothing but issues from day one. There is no option for a new car so please focus on the issue at hand.
I replaced the engine in June, a few days later the steering pump went and was replaced, still had issues. A few months later the rack pinion went, I knew it was going bad from a year or so before. Eventually, after a lot of work the steering pump was replaced on warranty, the rack & pinion as well as the line. That wasabout a month ago. Now the alternator and/or battery has died.
So I was driving a long distance yesterday and my daughter noticed a light on the dash, I wasn't paying attention. I stopped at a playground and sat in the car idling and the battery light went on, I stepped on the gas and it went off, it kept doing this. I researched real quick and it said something about the charging station or alternator. I went to Autozone and basically the took the battery out to charge it, after 1 1/2 hrs is was half charged. Everything worked when it was put back in but the lights were dim.
I had to turn off the car and tried to restart it, third time it started. I had to turn if off again and started it a couple hours later, lights were real dim, but then all these other dash lights started to come on. I pulled over and put on my hazards and then couldn't turn them off, the wipers went on and my car was possessed. Even after I removed the key everything was still on, lights, wipers, radio.
Had it towed 2 hours home.
So my question is why is that battery not charging outside of the car if the alternator is the problem? The battery is 1 1/2 yrs old and still under warranty.
Is there something else other than the alternator?
(This post was edited by hevy on Dec 22, 2013, 2:02 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 22, 2013, 1:26 PM
Post #2 of 8
(1891 views)
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Re: Alternaor and/or battery
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Your first step is to fully charge the battery, then have it tested and if it tests good, have the charging system tested.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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hevy
New User
Dec 22, 2013, 1:33 PM
Post #3 of 8
(1887 views)
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Re: Alternaor and/or battery
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The battery wouldn't fully charge, wouldn't go past 1/2.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 22, 2013, 1:36 PM
Post #4 of 8
(1883 views)
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Re: Alternaor and/or battery
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If the battery tests bad, it needs to be replaced before going any further. Don't go by any charger reading. Have it tested.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 22, 2013, 1:42 PM
Post #5 of 8
(1877 views)
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Re: Alternaor and/or battery
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Be careful charging the battery if your having a problem with it charging. Could be sulfated or has shorted plates and ready to blow up in your face.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Dec 22, 2013, 1:43 PM)
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hevy
New User
Dec 22, 2013, 1:48 PM
Post #6 of 8
(1869 views)
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Re: Alternaor and/or battery
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I didn't do it, Autozone did. It's at the shop now I''m sure the mechanic will know what to do with it. I'm just trying to get an idea of what it may be because I'm anxious and would like to know what to prepare for.
(This post was edited by hevy on Dec 22, 2013, 2:02 PM)
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 22, 2013, 2:24 PM
Post #7 of 8
(1854 views)
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Re: Alternaor and/or battery
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Hold on....HT is warming up the crystal ball.
Could be anything, from a bad alternator to bad battery to a wiring problem to a rat making a nest. There really is no way to tell you, with absolution, what the culprit is at this point or even how much it will cost for repairs. Don't worry so much because it will get fixed and life will go on.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Dec 22, 2013, 2:25 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 22, 2013, 4:06 PM
Post #8 of 8
(1838 views)
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Re: Alternaor and/or battery
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Here ya go
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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