06 charging issues.

OK, well I have a 06 with about 85k on it. It is the pushrod 3.0 in it...

the other day, I left work, and all was well. Drove about a mile down the road to get my kid, and when I got back in, it started, but cranked a little slow. Well after it started, the "check ABS" and "check traction contol" warnings showed up in the info display. I shut the engine down, and tryed to restart, and I just got clicking. I jumpped the battery, and it started, but was not charging at all. Lights real dim, and got worse the more I drove it.

I replaced the alt on it today, and same problem. Now the airbag light is on also. and the info display is out.

Defently not getting any charging. I checked the alt fuse, and it was fine. I also checked the big alt/battery fuse, and it seems to be working. Any idea where to start checking now?? Any tips for me?? Thanks!!!

I'd suggest you have the battery checked for ability to take a charge and load capability. If you have a shorted or open cell, you could get the perception that the charging system is not charging. You of course also want to check the connections at the battery to be sure they are clean and tight as well.

-Rod

I'd suggest you have the battery checked for ability to take a charge and load capability. If you have a shorted or open cell, you could get the perception that the charging system is not charging. You of course also want to check the connections at the battery to be sure they are clean and tight as well.

-Rod


I had thought that also, but the dead flat battery restored its self over night to a point that it started the car. SHould be good.

Any other fuses or anything in the system? Any idea where to start checking?

Get the meter out and start checking voltages. See what the system voltage is at after sitting, see what it drops to when starting the engine, and see what it reads when the engine is at idle and also at 2000 rpms.

If you have an auto parts store nearby that performs charging system checks, you could drive it there and have them test the system if you don't have a meter.

Quite honestly though, you're going to need a meter to troubleshoot the charging system so if you don't have one, you may as well pick one up.

-Rod

OK, well I have a meter. I have 12.65 vt in the battery, and running it slowly drops from there. No change [other then the slow drop] with engine speed.

i have battery volts at the large term of the alt. No output at all.

OK, so Im assuming I need to have bat volts at the fuse [number 26 underhood box] right? I dont see any other fuses for the alt. What wire in the alt harness should have power?? What else triggers it?

Thanks for any help!!!!

I vote bad battery Too............Replacing the alternator is "shotgun repair".
My '02 acted real unusual when the battery went weak. New battery and everything returned to normal.

Unfortunately I don't have the manual for the 2006 so without looking at it, I'm not sure how much support I can offer. 12.65V with the engine off would suggest the battery does not have a shorted cell, but it would be nice to know what the voltage drops to when you have the starter motor engaged. If it drops below 9.8 Vdc then the battery is weak. Since the meter places virtually no load on the system (by design) it can easily be reading surface charge of a battery, but not what the battery can support under load.

-Rod

But shouldnt the alt have output eaven if the battery is weak???

I realy dont think it is though. I checked it with the key on, what on this car, turns the lights on, and it only dropped a few points.

It depends a bit on the condition of the battery. It would take you all of about 1 minute to see what the battery voltage drops to when trying to start the vehicle. If your meter has a "min" feature you won't even need a second person. If the battery is internally shorted the alternator could have a difficult time maintaining system voltage.

Can you quantify what you mean by "a few points?" Are you referring to tenths of a volt (0.1)? How long did you measure for with the headlights on and the engine not running? Do you have to charge the battery from one drive/start event to the next, or does it reliably start each time? Does the alternator just have the one ring terminal and a connector, or are there multiple opportunities to hook it up incorrectly? Did you check the system before changing out the alternator to see if it appeared to be charging? Was the "battery" light on in the instrument cluster? If the PCM is not detecting alternator output at terminal 2 of C102 (Light blue/Red) it should trigger the "battery" light. This is based on the wiring diagram for a 2002 Taurus, trusting the system didn't get a major overhaul for 2006.

-Rod

It depends a bit on the condition of the battery. It would take you all of about 1 minute to see what the battery voltage drops to when trying to start the vehicle. If your meter has a "min" feature you won't even need a second person. If the battery is internally shorted the alternator could have a difficult time maintaining system voltage.

Can you quantify what you mean by "a few points?" Are you referring to tenths of a volt (0.1)? How long did you measure for with the headlights on and the engine not running? Do you have to charge the battery from one drive/start event to the next, or does it reliably start each time? Does the alternator just have the one ring terminal and a connector, or are there multiple opportunities to hook it up incorrectly? Did you check the system before changing out the alternator to see if it appeared to be charging? Was the "battery" light on in the instrument cluster? If the PCM is not detecting alternator output at terminal 2 of C102 (Light blue/Red) it should trigger the "battery" light. This is based on the wiring diagram for a 2002 Taurus, trusting the system didn't get a major overhaul for 2006.

-Rod

It did show a "Check charging system" on the info display, and showed the battery light. the alt has the big wire with the ring term, and a connector with three wires. Cant be hooked up wrong. I will do a check on starting voltedge later today.


Thanks for the help!

Fixed it!!!!!


Turns out the replacement alt was no good!!!! Gotta love it huh.

But she's running.

Great, thanks for the follow-up!

-Rod

Great, thanks for the follow-up!

-Rod


hey.. No problem. I hate when people just disapear and dont tell what the outcome was. :D

You know I KNEW it had to be the alt. Everything else just checked out...


Well not as bad as the one time I got a miss machined camshaft!!!! THAT was a fun one!!!:banghead: