I just bought a used 1998 windstar van and my battery light comes on?

Answer 1

the alternator is not working.

Answer 2

Sometimes the battery gets corroded. Clean the contacts very well, buy a cheap meter at the store, check the voltage. When running, it should be between 13.8VDC and 14.4VDC If it's lower than 13VDC, replace the alternator. That's most likely the problem. Good luck.

Answer 3

Battery light comes on to alert you to a malfunction in the charging system.

Batteries store power for starting the vehicle, they are recharged when the running engine turns your alternator via belt(with engine off you should not being able to move this belt by hand- is it worn or cracked? Something to fix if it is B4 it strands you).

Alternator turning puts out voltage to run lights etc and charge battery. In the circuit is a voltage regulator which keeps voltage from spiking and damaging other components. Measured at battery with engine running and throttle increased(rev the motor)
voltage should read 12 volts(11-13 most range- 1 or 2 volt swing). If the meter swings wildly or hits 14 or 16 you need new regulator(regulates voltage).

If engine will not start and belt not loose then your alternator could be dead(and no swinging of voltage will be seen as you are running off the battery, and next start it wouldn't!

Check the battery- no cracks etc. With voltage check it should read 12 volts(there are six cells- 10 volts one cell bad, 8volts two cells bad, 6 volts three cells bad and if you can run with more than one cell bad I wanna hear about it!) Two volts per cell.

The terminals whether side or top should NOT be move-able by hand. Clean and when removed the mating points(where the battery touches the wire terminal(inside of clamp for top and the screw ridges and under side of bolt for side terminals)) should be BRIGHT shiny metal. Posts on the battery BRIGHT shiny metal as well. A wire brush made just for cleaning this is available for under ten dollars. Best investment you'll make as other brushes could contaminate your connection(speed corrosion).

Where the terminal connects to wire should also be tight(original equipment is usually molded/welded SO unless severely corroded/worn well be fine). I have seen replacement terminals where you could pull the wire out by hand- not a GOOD connection)

Where the positive(red - plus sign) wire from battery goes to is usually fine(distribution to starter and fuse box etc)

You'll want to check the negative wire(black - minus sign).

This will be grounded to the engine block(and you may have an additional ground to frame. Where that wire terminates at engine
block bolt NEEDS to be secure(and this is the case where people replace battery, alternator, regulator(if not built into alternator) and STILL have problems). Hey it's located down there and it's hot, dirty, etc. Unscrupulous mechanics have been known to loosen this as it will cause $$$ problems... tighten by hand it;'s fixed! until vibration loosens it and back to giving money to 'fix'.

With GOOD(clean/shiny) matings of connections(including at engine block(hey road debris and crap can knock it loose)
and good voltage checks that light should not come on again.

HOWEVER, if it does,(99.9% of problems are cured by above)
then you have a faulty indicator(usually a 'loose' ground that will be a bear to fix). That is one of the reasons they call it an idiot light! The main reason is that people ignore those indicator lights and then get stranded or worse.

Answer 4

Take the alternator to a shop to get the part tested. You can usually replace the regulator and brushes and the part will be as good as new. 1999 and newer alternators on that van are harder to fix and require replacement. The battery needs to be replaced if it's over three years old as well.

Answer 5

flow to the zone , have them test it and enable us to all comprehend what the code is.... it could have got here upon yet another difficulty now it is seeing... The windstars are properly-enjoyed for intake leaks yet especially on the later layout autos than a 1998 (especially whilst Ford went to a plastic intake in 1999). may well be a O2 sensor..

Answer 6

Take it to your local auto parts place see if they can run an electrical system check it could be your alternator or your battery.

Answer 7

Depends, is the battery old if it is buy a new one and your problem is solved. Now this is only the simple solution if this is the problem others are what the others posted on your guestion.

Answer 8

First problem was buying a ford.Probably should the alternator checked by a shop.

Answer 9

Either the belt is loose, or the alternator isn't charging, or working properly. Get it tested at a place like autozone.

Answer 10

Its the alternator. It powers the battery when your engine is on. I had the smae car, and the same problem.