alternator is 18 months old, starter only 1 year, relay only 6 months, still having problems. The battery light is still coming on. It will go off when it gets to 2,000 rpms, stay off for a few. help?
Asked by Theresa May 11, 2012 at 04:26 PM about the 2003 Ford Taurus
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Car will runs good. But enough is enough. Doing this for almost 2 years now... never know if car will just stop or not start. Can go a week without the light coming on then it will do it contantly. Light will come on, engine will hit 2,000 rpm's light goes off. Stay off for a few, then sure enough, light will come on again, engine hit 2,000 rpm's light goes off. Help!?
6 Answers
aztec626bf answered 12 years ago
Take your car to an auto parts store and have them do a free diagnostic on the battery and the alternator. Might have a bad new battery or alternator. Also could be a short somewhere. If battery and alternator check out try taking all the fuses you can take out and still have the car run. Then one by one put them back in until you find one that causes an excessive drain on electrical system.
replaced the battery last week, sorry forgot to mention that. I don't know about cars, but will have a friend check those fuses.
Tauruses are notorious for corrosion on the ground connections. Anywhere you see a black wire connected to steel, remove, clean both surfaces with a small wire brush or sandpaper and reinstall. Good luck!
The RPM range is also a clue. Check your serpentine belt and the tensioner. If the tension is too light, belt will slip and alternator will run slower than necessary especially when it loads up. Good Luck!
thanx Mike. already checked the connections and the wires, all are ok. They replaced the belt same time as the alternator. But will def check that. Thanx
New belt is only as good as the tensioner and they do fail from time to time. I've owned 3 Tauruses and had a 4th for a company car. 2 of 4 got new tensioners while under my care. Good Luck!
