Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General How long can I drive w/out charging system?

The charging system warning light is on, and I believe the alternator is bad and sending no charge to the battery.

Anybody have an idea how long I can drive before the sparks die on me? I want to go about 30 minutes (mostly hiway) to get to my brother's garage and tools.

It's a 4-cyl ATX and the battery is new.

I've been able to drive for quite a while on a fully charged battery and a non-functioning alternator. Just keep the speeds low because the higher the RPM's the the engine wants to die. Probably something with the coil pack not making enough spark.

I made it for 2 days on my old Nova. Also, (of course), use lights as little as possible, no radio, climate control.... to extend life.

On our old 98 Contour LX V6, I drove about half way to Toronto(300km's) on no alternator and had to hitchike. The battery wasn't even fully charged. Our battery light was on for a week. I think the alternators maybe a contour problem. Didn't know it was the alternator at the time. Not too sure about the 4 cyl though?

About a safe 30 minutes as long as you don't use the headlights or other high draw eletrical components & keep the rpms down.

When mine went out,I had about 2 days of light around town driving (trying to get prices to fix it) Ended up doing it myself, let me know if you need help, I learned a bit about the alternator from the 2 times I changed mine out. From what I hear, the regulator's and brushes on this model of alternator are quite weak, and a tiny local alternator shop has even started to stock parts for this alternator -Nick

That reminds me of a story from my days as a Domino's driver about 15 years ago. The company Ford Escort's (no power steering even!) alternator died in the middle of one of my runs. I got back with no headlights, and me and my fellow idiots decided to let it idle to see if it would recharge. Well, things got real busy and it was about an hour before we remembered we had left it out there.

By that time the entire exhaust system was a nice cheery orange color, and the shifter console was beginning to melt.

Oh, by the way, did I mention that ELECTRIC cooling fans rely on ELECTRICITY?? Score one new alternator, one new engine, one new shifter console, one new catalytic converter, and an interior that forever smelled like melted plastic.

I went a LONG time in my Diesel Rabbit.

Gotta love compression, ignition.

I did have a second battery installed in the car for those very cold winter mornings.

TB

I made it!

After making sure my AAA membership was up to date, I made the trip without incident (and probably could have gone a lot farther). Thanks for all of your comments.

Had the pleasure of pulling the alternator for the second time in 2 months, last time had a broken brush lead, replaced the regulator/brushes. This time the whole alternator. Wish I had known.

Dave