What is wrong with my car?
12-20-2010, 05:51 PM
#21
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 229
Ok so here is what I did. I went and bought one of those cheap plug in voltage monitors from AutoZone and plugged it into the 12V outlet in the middle of the dash. Here are my results:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/9714364/IMG_0179.MOV
No the alternator cannot handle everything running in the car and yes I believe it does have a problem. It fluctuates way too much at 1500 RPM, almost 1 volt at times and probably even more. So here is the synopsis: Driving in Louisiana at dark with the headlights on at 55 MPH, air conditioner on high fan, and the radio playing at 50% volume, the battery will eventually go dead. Yep there is definitely something wrong with that.
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/9714364/IMG_0179.MOV
No the alternator cannot handle everything running in the car and yes I believe it does have a problem. It fluctuates way too much at 1500 RPM, almost 1 volt at times and probably even more. So here is the synopsis: Driving in Louisiana at dark with the headlights on at 55 MPH, air conditioner on high fan, and the radio playing at 50% volume, the battery will eventually go dead. Yep there is definitely something wrong with that.
Last edited by kc5mhb; 12-21-2010 at 07:01 AM. Reason: Added Video
12-20-2010, 08:07 PM
#22
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Gallifrey
Posts: 1,596
Ok so here is what I did. I went and bought one of those cheap plug in voltage monitors from AutoZone and plugged it into the 12V outlet in the middle of the dash. Here are my results:
I have a movie that will go here as soon as dropbox updates
No the alternator cannot handle everything running in the car and yes I believe it does have a problem. It fluctuates way too much at 1500 RPM, almost 1 volt at times and probably even more. So here is the synopsis: Driving in Louisiana at dark with the headlights on at 55 MPH, air conditioner on high fan, and the radio playing at 50% volume, the battery will eventually go dead. Yep there is definitely something wrong with that.
I have a movie that will go here as soon as dropbox updates
No the alternator cannot handle everything running in the car and yes I believe it does have a problem. It fluctuates way too much at 1500 RPM, almost 1 volt at times and probably even more. So here is the synopsis: Driving in Louisiana at dark with the headlights on at 55 MPH, air conditioner on high fan, and the radio playing at 50% volume, the battery will eventually go dead. Yep there is definitely something wrong with that.
12-20-2010, 09:51 PM
#23
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: toronto,canada
Posts: 1,176
After running some tests with a voltmeter I confirmed it was likely the alternator so I went and picked up an ultima alternator from oreillys auto parts for about $200. Installed it myself, used a charger to charge my battery back up (it was down to about 10.5v). Fired up fine and has been running strong for a week now.
thanks guys
thanks guys
12-20-2010, 10:58 PM
#24
Good deal. This happened to me. I put on a new battery on an bad alternator in my 05, a made it about 3/4 a mile down the road before the entire thing shut down. Turns out the alternator reversed the current in the battery and fused the battery cables together. Good times. I knew I was in it deep when I was sitting at a stop light and saw smoke easing out from under my hood. I think I said something like " I'm pretty sure that's not supposed to be happening".
12-21-2010, 11:28 AM
#27
Did the front bumper, grill upgrade and wired the fogs via a relay into the junction box under the hood and switched off the low beam wire. Not long afterwards, the original battery died so I replaced it and that was around October. 3 days ago the new(autozone Duralast Gold) battery went dead while driving the car. I had the lights, heater and radio on so I quickly shut everything unnecessary off and tried to rev the engine above 1500 rpm in an attempt to keep the car running. I made it about 10 minutes before the whole thing shut down on me. Went back to autozone (fortunately it was about a block away and my wife was able to pick me up) and they tested the battery. They said the battery was good it just needed a charge. I bought another one just like it to get me home and installed it. Brought the car back to autozone (they insisted on checking the alternator) and the guy put the test unit on the battery and said the alternator wasn't charging the battery. Anyway I took his word for it and went home. Took the vehicle to the dealer this morning and had them check the system and they claim the alternator is fine. I've never noticed water on the floor of the car, nor have I ever seen it leak into the passenger area. I'm wondering if the same alternator is being used on the V6 pony packages is the same one as the standard Mustangs. The alternator starts charging above 1500 rpm so I'm wondering if my jaunts to work are not enough to keep the battery charged with the fogs, radio and whatever else is on. Anyway, I'm looking to put a voltage gauge and possibly a ammeter seeing how you can't tell what is going on until its too late and the radio displays a 'Low Battery' notice. Maybe a lower RPM alternator would be an alternative?
My name is Deysha from Ford Customer Service. I noticed this concern keeps coming back and I know it can be frustrating. I would like to look into this further for you. Do you mind sending me your VIN, mileage, contact info and dealership info via private message so I can see how I can help?
Deysha
12-21-2010, 11:38 AM
#28
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 12,260
Hey kc5mhb,
My name is Deysha from Ford Customer Service. I noticed this concern keeps coming back and I know it can be frustrating. I would like to look into this further for you. Do you mind sending me your VIN, mileage, contact info and dealership info via private message so I can see how I can help?
Deysha
My name is Deysha from Ford Customer Service. I noticed this concern keeps coming back and I know it can be frustrating. I would like to look into this further for you. Do you mind sending me your VIN, mileage, contact info and dealership info via private message so I can see how I can help?
Deysha
12-21-2010, 12:19 PM
#29
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 229
Hey kc5mhb,
My name is Deysha from Ford Customer Service. I noticed this concern keeps coming back and I know it can be frustrating. I would like to look into this further for you. Do you mind sending me your VIN, mileage, contact info and dealership info via private message so I can see how I can help?
Deysha
My name is Deysha from Ford Customer Service. I noticed this concern keeps coming back and I know it can be frustrating. I would like to look into this further for you. Do you mind sending me your VIN, mileage, contact info and dealership info via private message so I can see how I can help?
Deysha
12-21-2010, 02:29 PM
#30
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Gallifrey
Posts: 1,596
Originally Posted by FordCustomerService
Do you mind sending me your VIN, mileage, contact info and dealership info via private message so I can see how I can help?
Seems about as legit as an email asking to wire money for little ¨Pepe¨´s heart-bypass surgery in Afghanistan.
Last edited by wayne613; 12-21-2010 at 02:33 PM.