2001 Ford Crown Victoria Charging

BGKORN

MEMBER
2001 FORD CROWN VICTORIA
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
2,001 MILES

2001 Crown Vic, P71, CNG with new alternator and battery. Replaced battery terminals and the fusable link from battery to main fuse box.

Alternator charges the battery at times, other times - when driving on the highway for instance, it simply stops charging and voltage drops very low. Then, seemingly for no reason, it "decides" to start charging again just fine.

Also, have temporarily spliced in a replacement for the indicator light and positive signal connections to the alternator with no success.

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,645 POSTS

It sounds like the alternator is going bad. It could be bad brushes in it, a problem with the aramature. Or the voltage regulator. Have you had the alt checked? When this happens, take it to a parts store and have them check it. Most will do it for free, so there will be no money out of pocket for you.

Also, you can have it done when it's working, but even when they load it, it may hold up for the short time they check it.

Have it checked and let me know what you find.

Joe

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Monday, October 12th, 2009 AT 8:40 PM

BGKORN

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Had the alternator tested - and had tested fine. Intermittant problem may have not shown up in the test, but as it is a new alternator and tests fine would need to get yet another alternator known good to further rule out.

Trying to rule out options. Could a ground issue be the next item to rule out? Starter works fine, so I had assumed ground to the engine was also ok.

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Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 AT 11:29 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,645 POSTS

Yes it could be a ground, but based on your description, I would say no. You may have a bad alt with a bad regulator in it. I would try a different one.

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Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 AT 12:31 PM