SHO alternator???

[Catterman]

Well my 1989 SHO with 200k on it has recently start to have a little problem. When I first start it up, the power steering would not work, then about 5-8 seconds later it would be normal again. Fluid was full. Now the "battery light" will fliker on and off, however when I am at 50+ mph it will stay mostly off. Is it possible that my power steering has caused my alternator to burn out since they are on the same belt?

On another note, I have had both the power steering and alternator replaced many moons ago. I am pretty sure it was in the time frame when Ford was offering a lifetime warantee on their replacement parts. If so, does anyone know the exact time frame they ran that deal, and would this be covered then at any Ford dealer? Thanks so much for your time.

[shorod]

Hmmm, just a WAG (Wild A$$ Guess) here, have you checked the output from the charging system? If it is low (due to a bad alternator and/or battery), maybe it is affecting the Variable Assist Power Steering (VAPS) that was on at least the 2nd Gen SHO, not sure if the 1st Gen (89-91) had VAPS, but I believe it did.

-Rod

[mtmaurer8ooo]

I work at a dealer and I don't know about that lifetime thing. If you do plan to seek replacement under warrantee you should definatly take it to the selling dealer, that is assuming that the alt is bad. Check the belt routing before anything and then take it to an Autozone and have them check the output of the alt. If it isn't putting out a charge then you may have found your culprit. Keep us up to date. Matt.

[Catterman]

I'll check it out and let you know what I find, thanks!