'95 Ford Contour SE

QUINNKAISER

MEMBER
1995 FORD CONTOUR

I replaced my alternator with a re manufactured alternator, my battery light used to be off but is on now.

I thought it was fixed, drove down the road, and the engine shut off. I put another battery in it and it drove home fine.

Should the engine run while the battery is not connected?

I don't know where the fuse for the alternator is located, if it even has one.

Thanks in advance.

3 Replies

RUDPRO

MECHANIC
224 POSTS

Don't disconnect the battery with the car running to test the alternator. On old cars it was OK to do this but newer cars have a lot of sensitive electronics that could get damaged.
I'm also not sure of what you're asking for in your post. You said you replaced the battery and it drove home fine. Is everything OK? Or are you still having problems. Is your battery light still on?

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Tuesday, June 5th, 2007 AT 6:11 PM

QUINNKAISER

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2 POSTS

Yes the light is still on.

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Tuesday, June 5th, 2007 AT 6:14 PM

RUDPRO

MECHANIC
224 POSTS

First thing is to check the wiring on the alternator. Make sure the wires are on tight.
If that's OK, get a voltmeter. With the car off, turn the headlights on for 5 minutes. Turn off. Test battery voltage. Write it down.
With all accessories off, start car and let it idle. Test battery voltage, write it down.
With car still running, turn on headlights, high beams, radio, blower. Test battery voltage, write it down.
With car running and accessories still on, have someone raise the rpm's to about 2000. Test battery voltage, write it down. Post back with results.

Also, did you change the alternator yourself? If you did, did you disconnect the negative battery terminal first?

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Tuesday, June 5th, 2007 AT 7:14 PM