Lights coming on, needles dancing, lights in interior very dim?

Tiny
DANIEL BLACKWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 199,000 MILES
Was out delivering orders when my electrical in the dash started acting weird(lights coming on, needles dancing, lights in interior very dim then going blank) and eventually stopped running. Car sat for a few days while I waited for a new alternator and to find a charger for the battery. Battery is fully charged and okay according to the charger, new alternator is in, but I'm getting no electricity at all.
Thursday, March 19th, 2026 AT 3:12 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 55,177 POSTS
So, can I ask if this car has after market battery cable ends? Like this? If so this will be the problem, I would remove the ends and clean or replace the cable ends, then become corroded and cause the issue you are describing. Please send me an image of the cable ends so I can tell for sure. Check out the images (below). Ken
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, March 20th, 2026 AT 8:35 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.