1996 Continental Electrical Issue HELP

I am trying to help you a friend of the family who is too far away for me to get my hands on the car. It is a 96 Cont. and all was fine until the battery went on it. (or so we assumed). It was tested by a towing company and replaced. Now the car can be driven a short distance and a Charging system message pops up and the car goes haywire and finally dies. The surprising thing is that if left alone awhile, it starts back up on its own. I have seen some good batterys do that but I would not expect that a non-charging Lincoln could revive itself after being drained dead. Anyway, since the whole episode the suspension wont raise now. The switch was turned off before towing and now no matter what the car wont raise. The compressor comes on briefly then goes right back off.

I assume the two problems are not related. Suspension or Charging but just in case someone else experienced this, I wanted to run this past all of you. I am more experienced with Town Cars and can replace the rear bags in a parking lot with nothing but the tools in the trunk, HA. (have had to do it in past to get auction cars on a transport) However, I know nothing about FWD Lincoln Suspension. Does this car have a power junction panel near the battery that can go haywire like some GM cars have experienced in past?

Right now I am waiting for a friend of hers to come over and do the unhook the battery with engine running test to isolate the alternator. I assume this works on this model as long as all accessories are off?

I am afraid the car is going to be swindled away by a towing company or incompetent garage and trying my last efforts to save the owner having to replace it. She has given up on it. Does Ford still use the STAR (i think that is what it was called) system and is it reasonable to have it connected to the connector in the trunk? (like Town Cars have)

I really appreciate any help. Thanks!

Hi,
Have you checked the alternator. I also have more experience with Town Cars and my alternator was causing everything in my car to go haywire.
The alternator should be putting out at least 14 volts. You can check it very easy with a volt meter.

Steve