Power problems
captbaldo
03-03-2007, 09:26 PM
Was reading an earlier thread on some issues about batteries and alternators but I don't have much car tools are know how. Now, my 2002 windstar lx is having the following problems. I have noticed that turning on the lights the odometer and radio time lights dim. Also, If I turn on the rear defogger the blower moter slows a little and rolling down the power windows sounds like it's barlely got any power. Turning everything off and accelearting and the problems seems to go away. Wiswind u had mentioned something about a fuse? I guess this would be in my manual? Fuse inside van or under hood. I have checked batter connections for tightness and rust and they look fine. Buy the way, my van is using the optional 750 battery. Also, after starting my van and comeing to a stop at a red light the idle starts to go crazy, up and down, up and down, and it just stops short of stalling and the battery light comes on for 1 or 2 secs, then everything goes back to normal as if nothing just happened. Like, I said, I don't have and volt meters or would know how to use these things, but I would rather try to help myself figure this out and fix it myself then to bring my van into ford and pay some big bucks. Any help would be strongly and greatly appreciated. Thanks.
DRW1000
03-04-2007, 01:20 PM
Hi Capt,
It might have been my posts that you were reading. As I tried to make clear is that strange electrical problems could be the result of a charging system failure. I do not think that the 99s and later have the fuse that Wiswind was mentioning but they do have fusible links. (same function but really just an inline fuse)
In any event a charging system has 4 basic subsystems:
Alternator - generates the energy
Regulator - supplies a constant output. In our vans and many other vehicles this is internal to the alternator.
Wiring - This gets the energy to the battery. - sometimes uses fuses and or fuselinks for current overload protection.
Battery - storage for the electrical energy.
I admire you for wanting to troubleshoot this yourself but this will be very difficult without a voltmeter, as a minimum piece of test equipment. Inexpensive voltmeters can be purchased for under $20. A voltmeter can enable you to measure battery voltage, charging voltage, continuity (to check wiring). You can even backprobe the charging system. I can look up the points and values from my Haynes manual.
Your other option is to remove you battery and alternator and take them somewhere to have them tested. Many places will test them free if they are out of the vehicle. I went to 2 different places to have my alternator tested but they did not have the correct mechanical adapter but I am sure that this was a strange coincidence.
A battery needs to be able to accept a charge and to hold it.
An alternator needs to create enough power to charge the battery and run the accesories.
It might have been my posts that you were reading. As I tried to make clear is that strange electrical problems could be the result of a charging system failure. I do not think that the 99s and later have the fuse that Wiswind was mentioning but they do have fusible links. (same function but really just an inline fuse)
In any event a charging system has 4 basic subsystems:
Alternator - generates the energy
Regulator - supplies a constant output. In our vans and many other vehicles this is internal to the alternator.
Wiring - This gets the energy to the battery. - sometimes uses fuses and or fuselinks for current overload protection.
Battery - storage for the electrical energy.
I admire you for wanting to troubleshoot this yourself but this will be very difficult without a voltmeter, as a minimum piece of test equipment. Inexpensive voltmeters can be purchased for under $20. A voltmeter can enable you to measure battery voltage, charging voltage, continuity (to check wiring). You can even backprobe the charging system. I can look up the points and values from my Haynes manual.
Your other option is to remove you battery and alternator and take them somewhere to have them tested. Many places will test them free if they are out of the vehicle. I went to 2 different places to have my alternator tested but they did not have the correct mechanical adapter but I am sure that this was a strange coincidence.
A battery needs to be able to accept a charge and to hold it.
An alternator needs to create enough power to charge the battery and run the accesories.
AvalonJohn
03-05-2007, 02:24 PM
Capt,
Your problem sounds all to farmilar. About a year ago I had the same problem with my 99 LX. Was driving on the Highway and lights would dim, car would almost stall and battery light would come on, speedometer and rpm's would go nutts without speeding or racing the engine. Most of the time this would happen while my foot was off the accelerator. Battery indicator light was still green, and serpintine belt was tight. As DRW1000 suggests, a voltmeter may help, but if I were betting man I'd say your alternator is going. I guessed and got it right, it was the alternator.
Hope this helps,
AvalonJohn
Your problem sounds all to farmilar. About a year ago I had the same problem with my 99 LX. Was driving on the Highway and lights would dim, car would almost stall and battery light would come on, speedometer and rpm's would go nutts without speeding or racing the engine. Most of the time this would happen while my foot was off the accelerator. Battery indicator light was still green, and serpintine belt was tight. As DRW1000 suggests, a voltmeter may help, but if I were betting man I'd say your alternator is going. I guessed and got it right, it was the alternator.
Hope this helps,
AvalonJohn
captbaldo
03-05-2007, 05:57 PM
Ok thanks. I'm bringing in my van for a oil change soon, so maybe I"ll have the alternator tested at the same time. Looks like I should invest in a haynes manual too. I plan to have this van for some time. Is there a good online site for ordering parts in canada for ford? Like for example an alternator. Thanks for the help. If I can get some voltage info for u I'll post it.
KimMG
03-05-2007, 07:26 PM
Look for the websites of chain autoparts stores in Canada. Canadian version of ebay maybe a good source. Are you close to the border? Some Canadians have used maildrops on the U.S. side for mail order items.
DRW1000
03-05-2007, 08:28 PM
Ok thanks. I'm bringing in my van for a oil change soon, so maybe I"ll have the alternator tested at the same time. Looks like I should invest in a haynes manual too. I plan to have this van for some time. Is there a good online site for ordering parts in canada for ford? Like for example an alternator. Thanks for the help. If I can get some voltage info for u I'll post it.
Being a fellow Canadian I have tried online stores like Rockauto.com and the prices are great but often the shipping doubles the price.
I normally go to Canadian Tire. Parts Source is an option too but it is owned by CT and the prices are similar. Try NAPA too. FYI the cost of the altenator was about $300 for me last week.
For tools I would recommend Princess Auto. The tools are not great quality but great for DYIers and much cheaper than Canadian Tire. As an example there is a tool for loosening the serpentine belt. It costs $67 at CT and under $20 at Princess auto. They have inexpensive voltmeters, torque wrenches, vaccuum gauges etc. They are online at Princessauto.com.
Being a fellow Canadian I have tried online stores like Rockauto.com and the prices are great but often the shipping doubles the price.
I normally go to Canadian Tire. Parts Source is an option too but it is owned by CT and the prices are similar. Try NAPA too. FYI the cost of the altenator was about $300 for me last week.
For tools I would recommend Princess Auto. The tools are not great quality but great for DYIers and much cheaper than Canadian Tire. As an example there is a tool for loosening the serpentine belt. It costs $67 at CT and under $20 at Princess auto. They have inexpensive voltmeters, torque wrenches, vaccuum gauges etc. They are online at Princessauto.com.
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