Headlights/ Dash Lights Flickering????

[quicksilver76]

Hi All,Has anyone experienced any problems with their Headlights and or Dashlights flickering consistantly?? if so is there any fix for it? Any help would be awsome. Thanx in advance.

[bluepd57]

Originally Posted by quicksilver76

Hi All,Has anyone experienced any problems with their Headlights and or Dashlights flickering consistantly?? if so is there any fix for it? Any help would be awsome. Thanx in advance.

My Cougar does the same thing. I was told that it is the alternator.
I have replaced my alternator 3 times. It makes the lights work fine for a little while then they start up again

[jakegday]

it would seriously help if you could give the year and engine size of your cougar, also, is it JUST your lights?? does your heater/ac fan slow down and speed up with the flickering of the lights??? how long has this problem been going on??

[bluepd57]

Originally Posted by jakegday

it would seriously help if you could give the year and engine size of your cougar, also, is it JUST your lights?? does your heater/ac fan slow down and speed up with the flickering of the lights??? how long has this problem been going on??

It's a 99 cougar 2.5 v6 dash lights headlights etc. I haven't noticed the fan moter slow down. It's been doing it since I bought it last year. I have had the car since Nov 04.

I have replaced 2 alternators, 2 fuel injectors, sun roof motor and track, plugs, wires, ignition coil and numerous other items.

When I turn on the A/C the car really loses power and preformance also.

side note: do you know where I can get cats for the car. I need to replace the front side but I'm told that it's a dealer item only and comes one piece. Both sides are one piece tot he Y pipe.Thanks

Ken

[jakegday]

my wifes cougar (99 v6) has been having the same problem with the lights for the last 2 years and it hasnt caused any real problems yet, yeah its annoying but until it causes the car to not start/drive, im not even gonna worry about it, if it was the alternator causing that noticable of a problem you would need to jump start your car literally every time you start it, you mention youve replaced the sunroof track, my wifes sunroof track needs replaced as well, i hear its a common problem on these cougars, hers was open when it broke, the mechanic said he'd close it for $100 or fix it for $1200, we just had it closed

[ksm25143]

I have a 2000 Cougar -- just purchased -- and I have the same problem - no problem with the way the car runs - but the charging light flickers sometimes - had the alternator/battery checked and was told they were fine. Any more suggestions?

[noteey]

There is a TSB #00-25-6 for 1999-2000 Cougars with the 2.5L V6 engine : Charging system-headlamps flicker when engine cold.

[bigj-dog]

My friend's '99 Cougar 2.5 lost it's headlights the other day. Dash and overhead indicator lights went out as well. A fuse fixed the dash, but I can't find anything wrong with the headlights. Also lost blower fan a couple of weeks ago and no fuses or relays that we can find are bad. Already fixed the recall on the resistor.

[jakegday]

Originally Posted by noteey

There is a TSB #00-25-6 for 1999-2000 Cougars with the 2.5L V6 engine : Charging system-headlamps flicker when engine cold.

could you put that first part in english, and the car in my situation does it when the engine is cold and completely warmed up

[noteey]

Sorry. TSB is a Technical Service Bulletin from Ford. It outlines common problems found on their vehicles. Your dealer should know about them. Or go to this site:http://www.alldata.com/TSB/36/003620c8.html which has all the TSB's for the 2000 Cougar, and many other vehicles. I actually have a print out of this TSB and it says the condition may still occur after the vehicle is warmed up. It should only take 1 hour to fix. they have to reroute the battery sense line. I have a 2001 V6 and thought I had the same problem 'cause my lights always dim when I step on the brakes. Very annoying but a different problem.

[jpolicke]

Originally Posted by noteey

I actually have a print out of this TSB and it says the condition may still occur after the vehicle is warmed up. It should only take 1 hour to fix. they have to reroute the battery sense line.

I had the TSB mod done to my '00; didn't help at all. I'm not convinced it didn't make it worse. It's going in for its 3rd alternator, the one put in 2 weeks ago now makes the battery warning light flicker.

[jpolicke]

Just got my '00 home from the dealer. They replaced the connector that attaches to the alternator, the push-on terminals weren't fitting tightly. Part number is: 3U2Z 14S411 SHA, "WIRE ASY". I'm assuming this is a crimp-on extension to the wiring harness to replace the terminal ends that would have to be cut off. All the way home I had the heads & fogs on, and they were steady as...lights are supposed to be. It may be coincidental but I also got the best gas mileage I ever had - up to 26.1 according to the trip computer. Amazing what a difference the proper voltage can make.
I'm assuming with no guarantee that the replacement is designed better than the original. Cost of part is $23.33

[darrenstalker]

I have had my 2000 for two years and the lights have had the same problem for at least 8 months. I feel like I am driving a motercycle with the flickering headlight. I have had to replace the sunroof and track. Now it appears that I have a leaky CV Boot. I also need ideas on how to get the EGR valve out.

Sounds like we all have the same issues. I would like to know if these are a consistant problem why hasn't Ford done a recal on any of these parts!!

[jpolicke]

Originally Posted by darrenstalker

...why hasn't Ford done a recal on any of these parts!!

Recalls are done for limited resons that involve mainly safety. Just being a crappy part isn't enough. What is considered a safety defect seems to have little rhyme or reason. My Contour's dash was recalled because it warped and could block the defroster vents, there's no recall on my warped gas tanks, although suddenly losing power in traffic is certainly unsafe. Same with headlights that flicker like a disco - they're a hazard to the driver as well as other motorists, but it's hard enough to get them properly diagnosed, much less fixed at the factory's expense.
Only the most serious problems are voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer - most are ordered by the NHTSA. Then comes the disputes as the manufacturer challenges the findings. Look at how long it took to resolve the Chevy pickup gas tank issue, and they built tons of them. They made a relative handful of Cougars and they're now out of production, so there's very little time or interest to devote to issues related to them.

There is a special extended warranty on emissions-related equipment such as your EGR valve. Check your warranty booklet that came with the owner's manual.

[QuirkyCougar]

HEY - You all are like finding an Oasis! I have had my quirky cougar ('00)for a year, and the headlights and interior lights have always flickered. Its gotten a little worse so I started asking about it, people are freaking me out about the alternator, I found out the part is $200 alone! but otherwise it runds fine, and it seems that if it was the alternator, that the car would lose power... bluepd57, Did you ever find out what was the case on yours?

I have an appointment with the garage tonight, they are going to charge me 50 bucks just to LOOK at it and I dont want to get roped.

Also, just a side note... I have had allll the same things go wrong with the car, sun roof, fan blower, leaks... <sigh> I should just get a new car, but I honestly cant afford it right now. Any more info anyone has would be fantastic!