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Alternator problem

A

AJ-69

New CEG'er
Joined
Feb 4, 2007
Messages
15
I bought a new alternator and a new battery and when I start the vehicle and then disconnect the battery the car turns off. It sounds as if my alternator is not working properly. What might be the cause of this?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

'98 Ford Contour SE 2.0
 
DO NOT DISCONNECT BATTERY WHILE ENGINE IS RUNNING.

Do not disconnect the battery with the engine running. Doing that might "fry" the electronics in the car. Charge the battery well. Sometimes new batteries need to be charged well. Is the battery light on while the car is running?
 
As of right now the battery light is not on. How do I charge the battery well. I am afraid if I run it like it is I will deplete the battery.

I hope I didn't mess anything up by diconnecting the battery.
 
When I rev up the motor the battery light comes on for the moment that I am reving. It is not on at idle. I have no clue.
 
AJ-69 said:
When I rev up the motor the battery light comes on for the moment that I am reving. It is not on at idle. I have no clue.
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One of the electrical connections is loose. Check connectors at alternator, battery terminal clamps and cables which goes to the starter, alternator and ground (especially the one which goes under the battery tray).
 
Tony2005 said:
DO NOT DISCONNECT BATTERY WHILE ENGINE IS RUNNING.

Do not disconnect the battery with the engine running. Doing that might "fry" the electronics in the car. Charge the battery well. Sometimes new batteries need to be charged well. Is the battery light on while the car is running?
Click to expand...

Hey Tony, splaine this to me slowly so I git it.....

First I realize we are dealing with Tours here so most car logic seems to go out the window......, but I'm and old guy and seems to me that (talking other cars) the battery is only used for starting an engine. Then the alt recharges that power, turns it off, via the regulator, and takes over running the car. Once the car is running one can remove the battery and it is no problem. On Tours, does it use the battery as a power conditioner kind of like a UPS system ? is that what would cause problems with the electronics?

Regards
 
The battery is still an important part of the electrical system. It serves as a damper, providing a more even voltage reading. The design intent is for the battery to continue to be part of the equation. So, yes, it is sort of like a UPS (uninterupted power supply).

Also, just the action of disconning the battery with the engine running can cause an electrical spike so the danger is not just from what can happen with it disconnecint it, it is also from disconnecting and reconnecting it.
 
Big Jim said:
...Also, just the action of disconnecting the battery with the engine running can cause an electrical spike so the danger is not just from what can happen with it disconnecting it, it is also from disconnecting and reconnecting it.
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And you don't want an electrical spark in the engine bay. Exploding batteries or flash fires due to rich gas surrounding isn't too appealing to most people.

Yes, I am old school too but times change, and car engines change. ;)
 
Very well put fellas, I guess I am old school as well cause I learned that disconnectiong the battery was a sure sign of an alternator being bad. But with the newer vehicles now having extra electrical components I can see how the battery would act as a "UPS" so to speak. I think that I will be taking it to a buddy of mine to trouble shoot my problem. We will see how much of a buddy this guy really is. I will keep you all posted

Thanks for all of the advise.
 
I must say that your problem is very similar to what on another car might be a slightly loose alternator belt. I had that happen once on my 69 Eldorado. The darn thing never squeeked but the light would come on when accelerating, and it slipped just enough for it not to fully charge the battery over about a week. So I'd check the batt and alt and they were good. I charge the batt and at the end of the week it would be down enough that it wouldn't start the car. About drove me nuts (and that's a short trip :crazy:). Finally one day while I had my head under the hood a buddy of mine stops by and says the belt is loose. Sure enough that did the trick. Live and learn :laugh:

I'm not implying that this is your problem after all this is a Tour and nothing electrical can be that simple :laugh:
 
Update on Alternator

Update on Alternator

Today I took it to the mechanics garage (buddy of mine) and they imformed me that some one had worked on it before and re-wired the harness wrong (from battery to alternator). They got it fixed, along with other nuances, for a price of $165. This is for parts and labor, including a master fuse.

I bought the car for $800 about a month ago, so I feel this is a good deal.

I will let you know how she runs.
 
AJ-69 said:
.... They got it fixed, along with other nuances, for a price of $165. This is for parts and labor, including a master fuse.

I bought the car for $800 about a month ago, so I feel this is a good deal.
.
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YES, IT IS. :cool:
 
Alternator update

Alternator update

My car is running good now.

After chaninging the wiring harness from the alternator to the battery (previoulsy wired incorrectly), and having a "carrier pinion shaft" replaced for my power steering leak the car is running like a champ - for a grand total of $550.00 for parts and labor. I have now paid a total of $1500.00 for the car :cool:

Thanks to all of you who have help in identifying the problem(s), that enabled me to cross reference what the mechaninc was telling me (exactly what you all had diagnosted) and go from there.

Thanks once again.
AJ-69
 
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