I was driving along in my 2003 Mustang convertible suddenly, the radio turned off, lights on my control panel started to come on (like ABS, Airbag...random things) then my gagues went from zero up to the top and back and then I lost power and steering. Anyone out there know what's up? When I tried to turn the key in the ignition it only gave me a loud clicking sound.
2007-10-31 12:47:26 · 12 answers · asked by abracadoodle25 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Ford
you have a bad alternator. i guarantee it. you may have to change the battery too
2007-11-03 17:33:34 · answer #1 · answered by HeisMe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let me see if I can bottle all the answers. A lot of them had good points. The loud clicking sound is a weak battery. It could be that the alternator was bad and you drained the battery driving it. You will probably only need one and not both. Although sometimes you do need to replace both because the alternator did go bad and the battery was on it's last legs too and draining may have finished it off.
There is one other thing of concern. The drive belt could have broken although you should have felt that in the steering first. If it broke and everything went dead all at once that would point to the battery first.
All that being said, I would assume the alternator first. You could have had a major short too but it's doubtful.
Corrosion on the battery or a loose wire on the alternator also could be the culprit. The alternator itself could have been the short. It would be internal on the alternator and it could drain the battery in a matter of seconds. You could have also had an internal short in the battery as well but I don't think you would get the clicking sounds if that happened.
2007-10-31 23:00:53 · answer #2 · answered by hemicuda_573 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Most likely your alternator has stopped charging and the battery is now dead.
The probable cause could be as simple as a belt has broken or the alternator itself has quit.
Open the hood and check if the serpentine belt is broken.
If it is OK get a rebuilt alternator and install it.
You will have to charge the battery before the car starts, then the alternator will keep up.
If you want to get it home, you can just charge the battery and it will run for a very limited time. This should get you home or to a shop, where you can fix it.
2007-10-31 19:58:33 · answer #3 · answered by Bert from Brandon 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like the alternator went out and you rode your battery down to nothing. Charge the battery or change it out and see if the alt gauge is discharging the battery (the red pointer showing less that 14 on the gauge)
2007-10-31 21:48:44 · answer #4 · answered by randyrich 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Low charging current as the battery went dead you experenced items shutting off as voltage fell below 12V. Most likely cause is an alternator failure then because the battery is not being charged the battery also was taken to low on voltage. Get both tested. Battery and alternator...
2007-10-31 19:58:08 · answer #5 · answered by John Paul 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if your belt is still on have the batt and the alt' tested then if they are good and you can get it to run check the coil
2007-10-31 20:08:23 · answer #6 · answered by chad f 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Their are two things it could be the battery is bad or you starter just went out or you could have a loose conection some where
2007-10-31 19:54:25 · answer #7 · answered by maddyman44 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, first problem was getting a mustard stain .. I mean Mustang.
Secondly - sounds like your battery is flipping out. Take it to the shop.
2007-10-31 19:49:49 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
your radio shorted out and blew a relay or a fuse somewhere causing verything else to malfunction. probably have to buy a new radio and replace the fuse or relay
2007-11-03 23:12:23 · answer #9 · answered by cruehead 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sounds like your alternator is going out, have it as well as your battery checked asap.
2007-10-31 19:59:57 · answer #10 · answered by JustMe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋