1994 Ford Thunderbird Battery dies when I turn on heat

ADROSSELL

MEMBER
1994 FORD THUNDERBIRD

Heater problem
1994 Ford Thunderbird Automatic 133000 miles

Hey guys, I recently had my MAF sensor replaced by a mechanic friend and then the next day after I put it in drive the check engine light came on, so I figured I needed to reset the computer, I had a friend take disconnect the battery and let it sit for 15 mins he then connected it again, I turned it on and the check engine light was off, but now when I turn on my heater the car slowly starts to die then the battery light comes on I check to see if it was on secure and seems to be. Any ideas on what is going on? Thank you sooo much!

5 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Hi ADRossell,

Thank you for the donation.

Get the charging rate tested. Symptoms seems to indicate a failing alternator.

Recheck the battery terminals for contaminations and contact.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Monday, March 29th, 2010 AT 7:05 PM

ADROSSELL

MEMBER
7 POSTS

It seems weird that all the sudden after replacing MAF sensor and resetting computer that the alternator would be going back. Before we replaced the MAF sensor everything seemed fine with the battery. Its just odd that as soon as we disconnected the battery for 15 mins everything goes hay wire. We tried the disconnecting the battery as the car was running and it stayed running but as soon as we turned on heater it started dying and battery light went on. Sorry its just so confusing lol.

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Monday, March 29th, 2010 AT 7:12 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Never disconnect and connect the battery terminals with the engine running. Those are methods applicable for vehicles of yester years. Vehicles nowadays have many electronic components and current surge during connecting or disconnecting the battery can and has known to fry those components.

It could be coincidence that the problem occurred after disconnecting the battery. The alternator could be failing and it happened to failed at the moment.

If the battery was reconnected with the ignition switch turned ON, current surge could have damaged the alternator.

I still have this to say, get the charging tested with a DVOM, at least.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010 AT 9:27 AM

ADROSSELL