2006 Taurus shuts off, gauges go wacky

Ok, I'm just plain cursed. After having issues with my grand am, i traded it on an '06 taurus. this morning on the way to work in the taurus, the gauges started going wacky, all the lights would get bright and then get dim, an alarm would sound but went back off too quickly for me to see what it was...and then it just shut off. I dont have to tell you I WAS PISSED. I waited about 5 minutes, restarted the car and headed back home as fast as I could. The whole way back home (about 2 miles maybe) it kept doing the dim/bright deal and the gauges would intermittantly goes wacky, the alarm would sound and then go off, and the car would sputter real bad, but I kept my foot in it and finally got it back home. Any ideas?????

Sure sounds like an issue with the charging system. The first thing I'd check is to make sure the connections at the battery are clean and tight. Also make sure it has original-style molded battery cables and not the temporary bolt together type. Once you confirm the cables are clean and of good quality, then check the battery condition. With the vehicle being a 2006 you are right on the verge of needing a new battery if it hasn't already been replaced recently (typical 5-year life expectancy). You will also want to check the condition of the alternator. Unfortunately you may only be able to do that when it's acting up.

If all components of the charging system check out fine, you might have an issue with the Transmission Range Switch (TRS). In earlier models of Taurus these things could cause all sorts of strange electrical gremlins. I haven't read of them being an issue in the newer Taurii though.

-Rod

The battery is indeed brand new, they had to replace that when I bought the car. I'm worried about unknown, hard to find, electrical gremlins. I'm just glad I popped for the extra warranty. Its the dealerships problem right now.