Charging problem???

[RLBurkett]

I have a 2000 Mountaineer V8 and have started to have an intermittent charging problem.

Maybe this has been discussed before, but I haven't seen anything here.

This is what I have found:

When in park or neutral with engine running the voltmeter shows low voltage and battery charge indicator light is lit. This is at any engine speed.

If the trans is in reverse or drive the voltmeter shows normal and the charge indicator light goes out
.
When driving as long as I am accelerating both indicators are normal and all is well. As soon as the vehicle is coasting or under a reduced load the indicators both show no charging.

It appears that with no mechanical load on the engine the charging system is not working regardless of engine speed. With a mechanical load on the engine all is OK.

Has anyone seen this problem? It seems it may be a loose connection, bad ground, etc. but I haven't found anything yet.

Can anyone help with any ideas of where and what to look at?

Thanks,
Bob :redexp:

 

[Alec]

I deleted your other thread, please do not double post.

That being said, Welcome!

Maybe it's the voltage regulator on the alternator?

 

[RLBurkett]

I don't think that because of the conditions I am seeing that it is the regulator, although I am going to test it further...

I was hoping some had seen this same situation...

Thanks,
Bob

PS - sorry about the double post!

 

[RLBurkett]

Well, I located my problem! Turns out there was a loose contact in the large connector on the firewall right above the center of the engine. Circuit affected was the alternator indicator circuit. Any time the engine was under torque the connector moved and made contact!

Thanks to anyone who read my post!

Bob

 

[Bill Kemp]

Great that you found the problem and even better that you posted the correction. This is sure to help someone in the future.