Check engine light is on, intermittent battery light on also

CHEVYGIRL81

MEMBER
2003 FORD WINDSTAR
AUTOMATIC

The check engine light is on, and the battery light comes on sometimes. Been diagnosed with alternator going out but it was replaced a couple of years ago. Also has rough idle lately, and able to cruise at forty mph without touching the gas pedal. After high idle there is a burning smell. I can also feel transmission slipping just slightly from time to time. And power windows act up, sometimes one window will stop working and another window that did not work will start working. Could a PCM be causing all these problems? Should I try resetting it?

Saturday, March 14th, 2015 AT 7:31 AM

2 Replies

CHEVYGIRL81

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Also, I have had the codes read four times and keep getting told a vague answer about the catalytic converter and that it is just probably bad gas. I have tried switching gas up and gas stations but still have the light. I am not just driving my vehicle without maintaining it. I am trying to fix it

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Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 AT 5:22 PM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

You most likely have two issues. The check engine light is on due to the converter code, so we need to know for sure what code this is in order to figure out possible causes.

However, here is a guide that will help with this:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-catalytic-converter

As for the battery light, that would make sense that we have an alternator that is failing so here are a couple guide that will help with testing this.

https://youtu.be/Z-p4dMJUpUw

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Below you will find the wiring diagram that will help with this. This is a chance that you have a PCM issue, but we need to know what voltage is on each of the four wires at the alternator.

Please run through this info and let us know what questions you have. Thanks

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