1997 Town Car electrical problems

[raz747]

Hi. I have a '97 town car and recently got a charging system warning. Took alternator to Pep Boys which diagnosed it as bad. Replaced the alternator and vehicle began charging. Shortly afterward the digital dash blinked, then stayed on steadily but the center consol with radio, temps, AC, etc began flashing followed by low voltage icon. Gave it lots of gas and the low voltage went out but the anti skid brake icon came on. Interior lights act weird as well and so it remains. Any ideas what has gone wrong?
Thanks.
rich

[Towncar]

Originally Posted by raz747

Any ideas what has gone wrong?

Hey Rich..
Sounds like that new Alt is shot too; more specifically the regulator, but since it's an internal component of the alternator, well that makes the whole unit shot.

I know, it's a new one, yadda, yadda.... I went through 4 new units in my Camry before I finally used a junkyard Alt that's been in there for the past five years. Very frustrating indeed.

Be sure all your grounds are clean and tight, battery terminals need to be perfect as well. There are also three main power relays in the Power Distribution box under the hood on the passenger side engine compartment. These relays go bad unexpectedly and cause intermittent electrical problems, they can also leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere, so most of us always carry a spare or two.

[raz747]

Hey Rich..
Sounds like that new Alt is shot too; more specifically the regulator, but since it's an internal component of the alternator, well that makes the whole unit shot.

I know, it's a new one, yadda, yadda.... I went through 4 new units in my Camry before I finally used a junkyard Alt that's been in there for the past five years. Very frustrating indeed.

Be sure all your grounds are clean and tight, battery terminals need to be perfect as well. There are also three main power relays in the Power Distribution box under the hood on the passenger side engine compartment. These relays go bad unexpectedly and cause intermittent electrical problems, they can also leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere, so most of us always carry a spare or two.

[raz747]

Thanks for the heads up on that. I had installed two alternators taking the first one back so I figured that was not the problem, but it just may be. I also appreciate the info on the relays. I had checked them and they were in tact, but you never know with electronic stuff.
I'll get to work on your suggestions.
thanx
rich

[rhandwor]

Make sure you check the battery terminals and the ground connections. If you spilled anti freeze on then remove and clean with brake clean. Also check the computer grounds.
Use a volt meter and check the voltage at idle with all electrical items on you should have around 14 volts.