Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Battery light flashes at higher RPM's??????

Could this be an alternator thing? When I get into higher RPM's near redline the battery light starts flashing and it feels like the car is going to die. Also a whining noise is coming from under the hood. Almost like a water pump noise but I replaced that so it shouldn't be the water pump. Any thoughts? Thanks.

High RPMS meaning your flooring it, or your driving around at 6000 rpm? I noticed in my car that when flooring it the batter light would flash at 6,000 rpm. It was my belt slipping no big deal.

thats my case..

Yes it could be an alternator thing. You didn't mention the mileage on your car but as the brushes wear down there is less tension on the springs that hold them on the commutator and at high rpms they start to bounce and lose contact. Hence the warning light. As far as the whine, my car has always had that since I got it last year. It starts at about 3500 rpms.

Karl

hello,
it mostly happens when I floor it. The car now has 120,000 miles on it. With that many miles and with that whining noise I think it may be the alternator. The noise is there all the time even at idle.

Ray G.

Anybody else have this problem???

Ray G

Hi Ray,

I had the same problem as you.
I took it into my Ford Dealer and had them replace the Alternator.
Costs me $467 after it all was done.
$202 for the Alternator,
$225 for 3 hours of labor,
and Governor Pataki's 8.25% tax.

Don't try this yourself,
unless you are familiar with pulling your axle.
The RH Axle has to come out, to make room to remove the Alternator.

I am doing my third replacement alternator after autozone has given me two bad ones.

You don't have to remove the axle, just the outer tie rod. Turn wheel all the way to the left. It will wiggle out fine.

Hey Ray,
I had the same problem with my Cougar. It started with the light flashing at high RPMs, then it started flashing at 4000RPM, then 3000 etc, until eventually the light was on at startup and I had to replace the alternator. It took about 3 to 4 weeks from when the problem first showed up to when the alternator had to be replaced, IIRC.

Bob

Thanks guys! Very helpful as usual!

Ray G

Hi Ray: Had the same problem last fall. Light would flash at 5500rpm. Did this for a couple of weeks then went constant. Went to a shop right away and they replaced the Alternator. $200+ for the Alternator and $200+ for labor. Visit NE-CEG once in a while!!!

Rick