Solved If This Mountaineer Were A Horse I woulda Shot It Already

[Turdle]

Sounds like the connector he tightened was the PCM. I know that at some point the alternator voltage regulation came under PCM control. Might have been as early as MY 2000. There were good reasons to do that (adjusting the voltage according to load, temperature, etc.), but it adds another layer of complexity.

nope, the one in question, and the fix, is the trans harness connector. on the firewall toward driver side a bit, big black thing with a 10 mm bolt.

 

[CDW6212R]

On the older Mustangs those have two engine/trans connectors. They call them salt and pepper connectors, and they were known to have electrical issues. I think those are good solid designs, but the temperatures they experience still create problems sometimes.

 

[MAS Tequila]

Koda, no it was squealing so bad I figured if it wasn't bad it soon would be.

Turdle, you are correct. Just think about the number of heat/cool cycles that connector has been through, I can't fault the design for becoming loose after 17 years and countless heat cycles.

I guess that particular 10mm bolt is one I'll never forget to check once a year or so.

And I learned more than I ever wanted to know about this charging system.

Also, I can now get the serpentine belt off faster than most guys can ask what size socket they need.

 

[CDW6212R]

15mm.

 

[Turdle]

And by the time you need it again you'll forget. That's when you'll come back to this thread and snicker-

 

[Turdle]

15mm.

You googled that huh

 

[CDW6212R]

Uh no, I had my belt off recently doing the coolant etc.

 

[Turdle]

Uh no, I had my belt off recently doing the coolant etc.

HA ha!

 

[CDW6212R]

I just got away from Rock Auto to, after about $400 of stuff. My new truck has a smell of gas I don't like, but no leak that I can find. I think replacing the charcoal canister is the thing to do, being 20 years old now. I also got new TRE's for my mail truck, which I think are original still. The Moog was great for the outers, but their inners don't come with bellows, so I got Motorcraft($40).