Battery Change

After changing the battery in my 96 taurus, the radio does not turn on, the battery light and the ABS light stay on. Any thoughts??

Why did you replace the battery in the first place? Was it because the battery light was on, or just because the car had difficulty starting? Did all these problems start immediately following the battery install? Did you by chance try to put the wrong battery in (with an R suffix) the first time or have the cables reversed? Did your wrench short the battery out when removing or installing the battery?

The "battery light" does not indicate a bad battery. The "battery light" is more of a charging system light and typically indicates the alternator is unable to charge at the expected rate. Usually, this is due to a bad alternator.

The ABS light may be on because the system voltage is too low and the ABS does not have sufficient voltage. Or, there may be a problem with the ABS system. Have the ABS codes read. FYI-- the cheap scan tools that the auto parts stores have typically cannot read ABS codes, only engine codes. You will probably need to visit a professional to have the ABS codes read. Often times, the ABS light will flash out the code during the first 30 seconds or so after the car is started. If it's not flashing codes, then there may be other issues.

As for the radio not turning on, did you check the fuse for the radio? Does the display for the radio show the clock? If so, can you set the clock? Maybe you just need to press the volume knob to turn the radio on? Sorry if that suggestion insults you, but often the radio will be in standby mode following a dead battery, jump start, or disconnected electrical system.

-Rod

The old battery was old and seemed to be bad. I charged it, then brought it to the parts store. They put a load on it and said it was bad. With the old battery still in the car, there were no idiot lights on and everything worked fine. After replacing the battery, everything seemed to go wrong. As a matter of fact, I drove the car to work this morning (about 5 miles) and just when I got to my destination, I heard a series of 5 dings twice. Is this a code? The car then died and would not start. It seemed like the battery was out of juice.

Also, thanks for your reply Rod.

Maybe some of your fuses blew out. Check all connections as well.

Not sure what the 5 dings may have been indicating. My 1998 Taurus SHO did not ding when my SRS light was on, but I haven't had an issue with the ABS or engine to know if either of those would cause a ding.

I suggest you make sure that your battery cables are clean and tight. Also, make sure that the termination end of the cables is clean and tight, positive cable at the under-hood relay/fuse panel and negative cable to the body or block. Also, you may want to pull the relays one at a time and inspect the connections for evidence of heat (melted connectors).

When the car didn't want to restart today, did you notice what the interior lights, instrument panel idiot lights, etc. did? Were they on, dim, or off?

-Rod

Found this about the 5 dings:
If a system fault exists and the Air Bag Indicator is malfunctioning, an audible tone will be heard indicating the need for service. The tone is a series of five sets of five beeps. This DOES NOT indicate a diagnostic trouble code 55. It means that the indicator is out and a system fault exists that requires service.
Haven't been able to find if the abs system would do this also.

I have now put a new battery in it, put a used alternator in it and am having some of the same problems. I replaced a fuse and the ABS light went off, The radio is still not coming on. There is a blown fuse in the powerbox under the hood. When I replaced it, it blew again immediately. What could be shorting out? Also the charging light is still on.

??????

How is the fuse in the engine compartment fuse panel labeled? That will help us trace the circuit to give you some pointers. If you don't see a label next to the fuse, flip the cover to the fuse panel over. There is probably a diagram in there.

-Rod

How is the fuse in the engine compartment fuse panel labeled? That will help us trace the circuit to give you some pointers. If you don't see a label next to the fuse, flip the cover to the fuse panel over. There is probably a diagram in there.

-Rod

Thanks again Rod! I looked in the owner's manual for the location of that fuse it was labeled as radio 20 amp. It seems to have a dead short.