1999 Ford Taurus electrical issues

TRACYS

MEMBER
1999 FORD TAURUS
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
103,000 MILES

I have an issue with my car. It had the battery rep in dec and the alt rep in jan. The transmission was replaced less than a year ago. Here is the story:
the car is back in the shop again. If the rpm goes to 3 the battery light comes on. When you slow down or stop at a light, the battery light comes on and the car shuts off. I can start it back up. When you drive the car it jerks like someone learning to drive clutch for the 1st time. The battery light comes on, and the rpms are low. The shop did an diagnostic on it, and it came back with nothing wrong no codes. The mechanic is puzzled. I want to be able to drive my car without it shutting off. Could it be the wiring in the alt? Please help my car is possessed.

Wednesday, February 6th, 2008 AT 2:15 PM

1 Reply

FLEXY5

MECHANIC
512 POSTS

I have seen quite a few new alternators bad right out of the box. The vehicle needs to be tested for voltage at the battery while the vehicle is runnig. Check it at idle, at 3k, and under a load. The voltage from the alternator should never drop below 13 volts. With full system load it may run around 12.8, but I would consider that a weak alternator. Have the battery load tested also. I doubt it's the battery, because the vehicle starts back up with no problem. If the voltage at the battery is ok, the voltage to the PCM needs to be checked next. It can get pretty detailed from here on out. So check this and post back. I'll try to help you out with this problem. I remember fixing a taurus with a problem just like this. I just can't remember what I did to fix it.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Wednesday, February 6th, 2008 AT 9:01 PM