95 Windstar Electrical

[easternshorelady]

I have a 1995 Ford Windstar 3.8L V-6. I have replaced the battery, cables, and alternator, and the car continues to have the same problem. We have to jumpstart the car initially and then it seems to run off the battery alone, if you turn on the radio, headlights, heater/ac, wipers, it drives for about 30 minutes and then completely dies. We have had the van towed due to this. We have replaced the alternator 3 times and went back to where we purchased them and they tested the battery and alternator and they stated they were good. Does anyone know what could be the problem to this unsolvable mystery??

[garync1]

Check your cable from the battery to the alt and see if there is a relay
I have a 2000 and my wife is out of town right now but when she returns I will look to see if i can find your problem but there may be 2 or 3 relays and most likely one of them may be bad.

[reallost]

i am a new winstar owner but i know older fords have seperate voltage regulators and if its cooked you will have this prob. they may have relocated them into the alternator but if not they will be wired in strait to the alternator.but hey what do i know!

[Dngrsone]

Do you own a multimeter or digital voltmeter? That would simplify things.

At any rate, you want to check the connection between your alternator and the power block. There are a couple people in here who found corroded connections under there. Of course, you want to check for burn't out fuses while you are at it.