Battery Light when accelerating

[coachblue502@hotma]

When I accelerate on the freeway to pass other cars, the battery light on my '99 Expedition XLT blinks on while I'm accelerating. Does anyone know what this could indicate? Am I running on 7 instead of 8 cylinders and pushing the engine/battery to hard?

Any insights?? Confused!!

CoachBlue

[bustedratchet]

First thing I would check is the belt for wear and looseness. Might have a tensioner going bad.

[coachblue502@hotma]

Thanks for the info, Bustedratchet! If a belt and/or tensioner is bad, is this job the equivalent of changing the timing belt/chain, labor-wise?

[2000gpr]

i have the same problem ,please let me no if you come up with anything thanks craig f gp1200r20 [email protected]

[ejay]

I had the same problem when I was on the freeway took it to kragen's auto part store to have my battery/alternator tested... sure enough it was my alternator

I replaced the alternator my myself $212
20 - 30 min job (3 screws to get the alternator off)

It's your alternator.... to be 100% sure have it checked... most places check it for free
then fix it yourself

California
Ejay

Originally Posted by coachblue502@hotma

When I accelerate on the freeway to pass other cars, the battery light on my '99 Expedition XLT blinks on while I'm accelerating. Does anyone know what this could indicate? Am I running on 7 instead of 8 cylinders and pushing the engine/battery to hard?

Any insights?? Confused!!

CoachBlue

[89Turbo944]

To change a belt a shop may charge you 15-20 min to change it. It is very easy and takes almost no time at all.

Good luck, also if the belt is in good condition and the light still comes on you may have an alternator problem.

[ModMech]

That is "normal" due to the Alternator Cut-Out relay. It gives you a few (1 or 2) extra ponies at WOT by dis-abling the alternator at full throttle.

You *could* also have a slipping belt, but even a new belt, tensioner, and alt may give you the same light.

[89Turbo944]

It is not normal for the charging system warning light to come on at anytime, unless there is a problem. No maqnufacturer would design a system to set off a warning light if it were running properly. SO you do have a problem with the charging system .Most likley just a loose belt.

[coachblue502@hotma]

Yup, it is the alternator. I took it to a mechanic who confirmed that it was the alternator. Said that its not major yet, but its on its way out. I'm going to pick up one. I may try to install myself, only three screws. Must disconnect battery first, right? Also, does anybody have the correct part number/no. of amps/volts for a '99 Expo XLT (with a 5.4L)?

I'm also going to look into getting the belt changed and the tensioners checked. Cost = approx $70.00 for belt replacement.

Thanks fellow Expo owners!


"Keep on Truckin'"

CoachBlue

[ModMech]

89 Turbo...

Wanna bet.

[89Turbo944]

Dude i work at a dealer. You mod a car and we can refuse to fix it.

If its not factory anymore we dont have to fix it. We can just send you to another dealer. Shure ill bet you. I have done it before. I will gladly take your money.

And yes i know there has been a courte case where a coustmer sued a dealere about warantee. The case was not wone or lost. The dealer just did a cash settlement. Every one thinks the guy won, but the dealer just didnt want it to be all over the news because it would be bad for business.

So you can go and argue all you like, but the dealer will not cover things like coustomer neglect or neglagence under warantee, its called good will. The just absorb the cost to repair the car.

So go ahead and tell me whatever you want to but i deal with cars and there owners on a daily basis.