Windstar SEL 1999 Battery Light

[smata67]

Light has been coming on every so often, beeps too. I checked the battery, 12.5V, the alternator though, is outputting 13.4V which I think may be low. The belt does not appear to be slipping and looks practically new, may have 10K on it. So, alternator for sure? Car only has 110K on it. If so, any tips on replacement, cause it looks pretty easy.

[82Stang]

13.4 is low in my book. Since the battery is up, it has to be the alt. 110K doesn't matter. Alts come and go often. You should be charging atleast 13.5 to 14.5 range.

[smata67]

Yeah, my avalon's alternator is running at 14.5V. I'm going to see if I can measure the output right at the alternator in case its the cabling from the alt to the battery, but I'm fairly certain what I'm going to find. At least its an easy replace.

[kafkacell]

With the minivan on use a screwdriver and point it to the pulley of the alternator. it SHOULD atract the screwdriver (or any metal piece) to it because it gets magnetized. If the pulley dont do it you must replace your alternator because it is failing.

How old is your battery? Mine lasted about 4 years.

[smata67]

Battery is only 3.5 years old and I think its a 7 year. $200 is a bit steep for the alternator, are there any less expensive options? Rebuild maybe?

[kafkacell]

I had a bad experience with my previous car (Toyota Corolla). Alternator started to fail, then I got it rebuilt (changed everything inside but it costed almost the price of a brand new) and it started to fail one month later. Finally I had to change it for new one and is still running.

[82Stang]

Originally Posted by smata67

Battery is only 3.5 years old and I think its a 7 year. $200 is a bit steep for the alternator, are there any less expensive options? Rebuild maybe?

There are other options. You could go to a u-pull-it yard and get one for 20 dollars. Or try online, sometimes you can find a new part real cheap if you know where to look. Or Ebay.

[smata67]

I went ahead and had the system tested at Advance Auto. The alternator showed 13.2V unloaded, 12.8V loaded. It reported the alternator ok, but I think anything below 14V is suspect. Picked up a Worldwide lifetime alternator (could be a Remy remanufacture), I've yet to decide if I'm going to go ahead and install. Battery cranking was at 680, down from 850 (what's on the battery, its an 8 year Bosch, 3.5 years old).

[82Stang]

Originally Posted by smata67

The alternator showed 13.2V unloaded, 12.8V loaded. It reported the alternator ok...

You answered your question right there. The alt is NOT putting out enough. Why they said it tested ok, is baffling because 12.8v under load is not sufficient. If it were 13.2v under load, that to me would be borderline. Install the alt.

[Tony Silva]

Originally Posted by 82Stang

You answered your question right there. The alt is NOT putting out enough. Why they said it tested ok, is baffling because 12.8v under load is not sufficient. If it were 13.2v under load, that to me would be borderline. Install the alt.

82stang is right, But I would also check the fusible links prior to changing the alt.