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#1581441 05/31/06 02:20 AM
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so im driving back to the apt today when my car just dies, falls flat on its face. i turn the key off then on. nothing, volt gauge is reading less than 8 volts. some lady stops and givrs it a jump and i manage to drive it back to the apt. the whole way back, everytime i touch the gas it about stalls. if i hold the gas slightly for long enough the rpms go up and i can slowly go forward. when im moveing if i step on the gas it starts to stumble. this whole time the volt gauge never goes above 8 volts. i think the alternator finally craped out after 220xxx miles.


97 contour gl mtx front & rear upper strut tower braces 19mm bat sway bar Koni struts w/GC knockoffs
#1581442 05/31/06 04:14 AM
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Either that or the battery has a shorted cell. Get a cheap volt meter and mesure on the terminals of the battery. you should have 12volts, start the car and you should have about 14.3 on the meter. If not, battery cell (have it tested) or charge circuit/alt. Make sure your terminals r tight and clean. If the battery has a "eye" make sure it is green.


JD a.k.a Fingers "Don't Panic" '98 Contour GL 2.0L VCT ATX 88k '98 Contour LX 2.5L MTX 120k Street racing can kill just less of a chance with a 2.0
#1581443 05/31/06 04:16 AM
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At 220K miles, you got your money's worth. I would also change the battery if it is more than 75kmiles on that.


"Always do the cheap and easy ones first." 1996 V6 ATX 96K miles
#1581444 05/31/06 11:29 AM
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the battery is a virtually brand new optima red top so im pretty sure its not the battery (although ive seen stranger) as for the voltage when running, i would go measure it but seeing as how it was at less than 8 volts the whole way back to the apt it doesnt start. which also means that the battery isnt fully charged.


97 contour gl mtx front & rear upper strut tower braces 19mm bat sway bar Koni struts w/GC knockoffs
#1581445 05/31/06 12:15 PM
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Your symtoms are the exact same ones I had when the alternator died on my 98. Damned ALTERNATOR light never did come on even though there was no output (the light did work at POST).

If you fully charge that battery, you should be able to get 20-40 miles before it dies again. Want to ask me how I know that?

Alternator replacement is about as much fun as doing a tax return.

Steve


98 Contour SE Sport 2.5 Duratec ATX The wifey's car 89 Taurus SHO - 246K miles 94 SHO ATX - 190K 1997 F-150 5.4L ATX - The Workhorse 150K. ANY THREAD WITH "OMG" or "WTF" ETC IN THE TITLE WILL BE IGNORED!
#1581446 05/31/06 12:40 PM
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well thankfully i have a zetec so the replacement wont be that bad. i would charge the battery and go get a new alternator but i dont even have a battery charger (going to pick one up when i get the alternator though)


97 contour gl mtx front & rear upper strut tower braces 19mm bat sway bar Koni struts w/GC knockoffs

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