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1999 Mercury Cougar electrical components loose power while

Tiny
DD_110588
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 MERCURY COUGAR
Electrical problem
1999 Mercury Cougar 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

The 99 cougar that I have has an electrical and when its on the road it tends to hessitate and all the electrical components start to loose power the speedo doesnt respond the radio acts like its about to die. Ive already change the alternator and has a brand new battery. I hooked a scanner on it and I get code p1401 and it has to do something with the EGR valve. Also I drive the car for 30min or so and shut it of the car acts like if the battery is low but as soon as it cools down(usually until the next day) it starts right up. I could really use your help asap because its my daily driver. So thanks.
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Tuesday, September 7th, 2010 AT 4:25 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Hi dd_110588,

Thank you for the donation.

Did you test the charging rate?
Was the replacement alternator new, used or reman?
Were the battery terminals cleaned?
Did you check the ground circuits, especially from the battery to body and transmission?
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Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 AT 11:01 AM
Tiny
DD_110588
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The alternator was a remanufactured one, I did not test the charging rate(which I think your going to help me with), the terminals are clean because we exchange the battery for a new one and I did not check the ground wires. Now today in the morning I got the car to normal working temp and when I got the rpm to 3000 the battery light would go on but as soon as I let it go the light would shut down.
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Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 AT 12:59 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Symptoms indicates a possible alternater fault.

Attach a voltmeter between the battery terminals and with egine running, test the charging voltage. It should be between 13.5 to 14.5 volts.

Turn on headlights and check the voltage, it should maintain the voltage, a slight drop is accepttheable. Keep running engine and if voltage maintains, alternator is good.

Rev engine till 3000 and if charge indicator comes on, note the charging voltage.
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Friday, September 10th, 2010 AT 10:45 AM
Tiny
DD_110588
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  • 59 POSTS
Ok ill get that checked and ill let u know. Also I have to change the starter do you think that might have to do something with it? And the are two red wires coming from the positive side of the battery terminal and the one that goes to the 80amp battery fuse is always hot, but the one that goes to the starter and alt is regular temp, any suggestions?
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Friday, September 10th, 2010 AT 11:32 AM
Tiny
DD_110588
  • MEMBER
  • 59 POSTS
Ok this is what I got the battery is at 12. And when I turn the headlights the voltage goes down n when I put it at 3000rpm the voltage keeps going down and im hoping its not the alternator because its a pain to get it off and its new to so what do you think?
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Friday, September 10th, 2010 AT 5:18 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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The red wire to the 80Amp fuse getting warm indicates it could possibly be under capacity for the electrical loads. Do you have any power hungry acccessories? If not, check the wire connections at the 80 amp fuse.

The starter would have nothing to do with the alternator charge indicator lights coming on but it would affect starting.

The charging rate test indicates the alternator is bad or the belts are slipping. Check the crank pulley and if equipped with harmonic balancer, ensure it is good. A bad harmonic balancer can cause charging faults as the alternator would not be running at the required speed.
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Monday, September 13th, 2010 AT 10:07 AM
Tiny
DD_110588
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  • 59 POSTS
Well it was the voltage regulator in back of the engine that melted. What causes that?
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Monday, September 13th, 2010 AT 11:53 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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When voltage regulators fails, it would result in erratic or overcharging and that can heat up causing it to melt. External components would not cause the regulator to melt unless a shorting has occurred.
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Tuesday, September 14th, 2010 AT 7:47 AM
Tiny
DD_110588
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  • 59 POSTS
Well I guess that was affecting it for a while but until last week it just started doing it worse, n I guess thats when the regulator completely melted.
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Tuesday, September 14th, 2010 AT 10:31 AM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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Have you replaced the parts and did it fix the problem?
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Wednesday, September 15th, 2010 AT 2:11 PM
Tiny
DD_110588
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Yes I did and that was it. It was only $8 in the dealer to, so I was surprised.
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Wednesday, September 15th, 2010 AT 4:36 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
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The cost is a surprise to me as well.

Glad to know you have fixed the problem.

Have a nice day.
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Saturday, September 18th, 2010 AT 9:01 AM
Tiny
GIJESSE77
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Ok the guy answering didn't have a clue. On this car the starter and alternator is joined by a wire with a 175 amp fuse. Located against the firewall and is probably a ball of melted plastic by the time you posted this. The fix is easy. One the alternator will have to be replaced again, the voltage regulator has burned up because the system trying to send to much power. Then squeeze your hand between firewall and engine on passenger side you'll feel a ball of melted plastic yank on it till it comes up. Get a piece of 4 guage wire and anl fuse 175 amp and holder from local stereo shop. Replace the wire it goes from alternator to starter on the drivers side. Put the fuse up under the hood on the firewall. Your done.
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Wednesday, January 29th, 2014 AT 9:46 PM

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