2002 Ford Windstar Alternator

[sixpix]

Just wanted to share some info I learned the hard way while on vacation.

After driving about 5 hours we got off the expressway and I noticed the majority of the indicators lights on my dash were on including the ABS and brake lights. After driving for a few minutes the turn signals came on by themselves and would not go off no matter what position the switch was in. The power windows also stopped working. We tried to make it to our final destination which was a few miles away but the car eventually stalled. Having seen similar "ghost" symptoms where the turn signal lights would do whatever they wanted when we had a low battery, I decided to change the battery. Once I did this the van ran fine and there were no indicator lights on the dashboard (note: the battery light was not on after I changed the battery and I did verify it came on when the key switch was turned to the run position before starting).

After about 8 more hours of driving the ABS and brake lights came on again while driving (trying to make it home this time). I took the van to a Midas shop and they said the alternator was bad. Since the original battery only lasted slightly more than 3 years I figured the replacement battery could have failed again and trusted the "idiot" light on the dash for the battery too much thinking that if the problem were with the alternator the battery light would have come on. Apparently the real indicator light that you should use to know if your alternator is failing are the ABS and brake lights.

[mundy5]

sixpix,

I'm sorry to hear about your ordeal. I recently went through a very similar one with my civic and so I feel your pain. I actually replaced my own alternator on the civic which was a major PITA.

I hope this will help others see that these signs are not to be ignored. I will probably be facing this within the next 2 yrs or so.