98 Sport Won't Start

[finesse]

Had car diagnosed a week ago and was told I needed a new altenator and battery. Both installed a week ago. Yesterday, car wouldn't turnover. Put key in the ignition, nothing happens. No power at all, not sounds, not lights in the dash, interior light not coming on.

Took it to the shop again and they replaced the altenator and battery again. The first time, they said the pigtail clip wasn't installed since the previous one had burned out. This time alternator, battery, and pigtail installed again. Ran a test. Altenator not charging at all.

Having Ford look at it. Repair shop thinks it's an electrical problem. Any ideas and help would be appreciated.

 

[budwich]

I think that the circuit is pretty straight forward. Ultimately, are you seeing any voltage out of the alternator??? What do your gages indicate when your vehicle is running... is the voltage level at "normal"? With voltmeter, are you seeing 14+ volts when running? The alternator (according to my 96 diagrams) sees a "feedback voltage" (of the battery) on the "A" side ... this is fed back thru a fuse in the power distribution box (17 in 1996). The output is sent out on the "B" side (where you should see 14+ volts). This output is fed to the starter (and ultimately the battery) thru two fuse links... perhaps they are gone. That's basically it. If the alternator isn't putting out voltage, it is either dead (bad diode pack; field or rectifiers) or the feed back on the "A" side isn't there (bad fuse or potentially a bad regulator in alternator). If the alternator is putting out voltage then perhaps the fuse links could be toast. Perhaps a bad/ marginal cable connection at the battery (check both ground and power). Anyways, hopefully Ford will find the problem before it becomes one for your pocket book...:-(

 

[finesse]

I'm hoping your right. The first set of altenator/battery drained due to this original problem that wasn't diagnosed. Add that to my brake lights not working and the service advisor is sure that it's a fuse problem, but they're going to check the entire electrical system.

 

[Robb]

Repair shop thinks it's an electrical problem.

LOL!!!! Sorry, but that is a funny statement!!!!

As stated, if no charge is happening, there is a fault in the charging circuit. Your shop actually shotgunned an alternator and new battery twice? Probably time to find a new shop. Simply having an alternator create a 14+v to the battery is an extremely circuit, and one that should have been diagnosed before the first alternator and battery were replaced.

 

[budwich]

Hope things work out for you.... actually, my guess is the fuse on the "feedback", "A" side.... it is bad to run an alternator for any period of time without a battery on it and perhaps that is why it "ate" your alternator. Anyways, good luck. Of course, this is probably not a 911 since its in for service but might turn into one if they come back with a "no fault found".

 

[finesse]

LOL!!!! Sorry, but that is a funny statement!!!!

As stated, if no charge is happening, there is a fault in the charging circuit. Your shop actually shotgunned an alternator and new battery twice? Probably time to find a new shop. Simply having an alternator create a 14+v to the battery is an extremely circuit, and one that should have been diagnosed before the first alternator and battery were replaced.

Two different shops. The first one was out of state. The second was an affiliated shop where the "warranty" work was performed. But point taken.