elec problem with 2008 Mustang

Asked by CROWN_2050 Mar 06, 2017 at 01:01 PM about the 2008 Ford Mustang

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Even w/New batt & alternator - battery won't stay charged.  While running, radio quits, dash instru. turn off, and car stops (total elec. system failure).  Can this be result of Shaker 500 radio/stereo - or is the new alternator bad?

1 Answer

158,955

Measure the voltage at the battery terminals with the engine running. It should be somewhere between 13.5 and 14.6 volts plus or minus a tenth or two. If it is less the alternator is not charging. The ECU tells the alternator to start and stop the charging. If it is not charging the wiring needs to be checked at the alternator and the big wire should be hot to the battery positive even with the key off. It sound like the battery is draining and shutting off the car. Also check the battery connections at the battery and at the starter. These connections need to be clean, free of corrosion and tight.

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