2003 ses Electrical problem

[grgrylogan]

I have an intermittent problem that the dealer is having a problem finding. The car has 49,000 miles. When at idle the speedometer will start to flucuate rapidly from 0 to about 40 mile per hour. If you turn the blower motor on while this is happening, the motor will sometimes go dead. I've also noticed that when the problem occurs, the slight whinning noise that I believe is coming from the alternator, will increase 2 or 3 time in volume. When this occurs, the car may go dead either at idle or driving 70 mph on the expressway. The dealer spoke with Ford about the problem. Ford thinks it's a loose connection, but it looks to me like something is loading down the electrical system so heavily that the speedometer is going crazy because of voltage drop. Can you help. The car isn't safe to drive. The dealer has replaced the computer, blower fan, and resistors.

[Madcat455]

I feel for ya... I have a similar prob with my 03 SES... except that its with the Tach. Engine will Rev up & down at idle.... go into fast idle whenever it wants (idles at 12-1400 rpm). It's died like that twice. Once the Batt & ABS light came on, tach & speedo went completly dead... but car was still running like nothing. It only does it whent the blower is on Low speed. If its doing it & you put it on a higher speed it'll stop.

Dealer is stumped, told be to have it towed when it does it again... but if you shut it off it will be fine when you start it again. Although, since I've discovered the "Fan Speed" thing, Its never been on Low & the prob hasn't happened again.

No check engine light... ever.

Only 27000 on mine though... warranty's are only good if they can find the problem.

If you get anywhere, will you post an update so I might be able to tell the dealer down here where to look.

Good Luck.

[grgrylogan]

I'll let you know if I find out anything. I've had some indications that the problem may be the alternator.

Mine is out of warranty and I can't afford to spend a lot of money hoping to fix the problem thru luck, but I may purchase a new alternator to see if that will help. I'm starting to get desperate.