Fuse Block the problem as a defective fuse block?

Tiny
DANIELJCURRIE
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 LINCOLN LS
The "check charging system" warning light came on and went off. This happened from time to time intermittently over several years. There were no symptoms of any problems with the vehicles functional capabilities; no stalling, no hard starting, no sluggish behavior.

Then, recently, the light came on often and went off many times a day. I had it diagnosed by a dealer and was told it was an alternator overcharging at 17.8 volts. I had a different repair shop replace the alternator. After the repair, not only did the same warning light appear, but the "ABS", Advance Track System", and Check Engine Temperature" warniing lights appeared. I took it back and they put in another alternator; thinking the first part was defective, and still the problem wasn't corrected.

I took it to another dealer who identified the problem as a defective fuse block; a $3900 part + 7-8 labor hours to repair. They said they have never seen anything like this before. By coincidence, it was the same dealer who diagnosed the problem, when faced with same warning light situation over 2 years ago, as an alternator and battery (which I never had repaired because a different automative repair shop said that it was not; they replaced a battery cable and connector which seemed to fix it. Until the light appearred and disappeared again several months later).

At the time I first experienced the problem, the car was under warranty. Noone ever diagnosed the problem correctly before. What is my recourse with the manufaturer to have this very rare problem repaired at the manufacturer's cost?

And what could be the cause of such a problem with the fuse block? Could one of the previous repairmen have damaged it during their alternator repair and diagnosis?. (I noticed the fuse block cap was off and the fuses were loose. My car's power shut completely down and stalled just after starting the car and putting it in gear the day after the repair was initially completed when I was trying to take it back in again. I pushed the loose fuses down until I heard a "click" then I had power and the car started; but the warning lights were all on.)

Important note:

Also, noone ever was able to obtain a "code" during the diagnosis that identified the problem; why the warning light came on. The tests always showed "pass" no false codes.

What do you recommend I do?
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Tuesday, February 24th, 2009 AT 1:29 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Here is a alternator wiring diagram and fuse location along with a guide to help us do your own testing. I am thinking the problem was a loose fuse connection which causes heat and damage. Just repair the damage and you should be fine.

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

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers
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Friday, February 27th, 2009 AT 7:29 AM
Tiny
JDR49
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Was this issue ever resolved?
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Monday, July 28th, 2014 AT 10:43 AM
Tiny
SIRUS33
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Wait what part cause it still overcharged after rite? And did you drive it while at 17v
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Thursday, December 21st, 2017 AT 10:09 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,554 POSTS
It sounds like it would be a connection problem or the voltage regulator/alternator needs to be replaced.

this guide will give you an idea of what you are in for when doing the job

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-alternator

Check out the thread above it has been updated !

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken
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Saturday, December 23rd, 2017 AT 11:51 AM

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