i dont know whats wrong.. 1997 ford windstar 3.8......... give it gas and lights in and out get brighter... let off the gas ans the lights dim back to normal..... it never did this before today... i hope someone can give me an answer on this.... thanks...
2007-11-16 10:00:58 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Ford
I think you put in a USED REBUILT one in. Thats fine BUT the rebuilders use a lot of the old parts. Part of the alternator called the field wires are most always reused. They can work for millions of miles but they do get weak (it just happens). Causing your problem. If it really bothers you (is annoys the hell out of me) First before you pull it out do some simple checks to your installation job, check and re clean all the wire connections down to the battery, make sure your belt is grease free. Oh and was the pulley reused OR was the new one the same size?
If your old alternator is still around go down to the automotive electrical supply place and ask them for new bushings (usually part of the voltage regulator) They are easy to replace and are the usual reason for for a dead alternator. It sounds like your old one was in better shape than the rebuilt one. I have a few aeroSTUDS I use to haul engines and parts around. They all have over 300k on them and I have only replace the brushes in the alternators and starters. BUT alternators have whats called slip rings (the part that the brushes ride on) these slip rings can get worn out and turn to sand paper and grind brushes out. Before you install new brushes feel if they are smooth. Once you unbolt the regulator this will all make scence.
2007-11-16 20:47:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it has an internal regulator, did the new alt come with one or did you put the old one on the new alt, volt meter on the battery terminals at idle around 14 volts, then raise the rpms, whats the meter say now, over 14 volts will boil a battery dry over time, replace the regulator, the alternator will try to recharge low battery voltage, but if the battery is hurt it cant, its a 97 is the battery original? a load test on the battery will tell you if its time for a new battery, the batterys lose water when they get old and they cant hold a charge, if it load test bad i bet the water is low in the battery, replace it, you dont have a belt problem since the lites get brighter, the windbuses have lots of electrical devices and demands a good electrical system, thats why the battery is so big, make sure you get the right size battery, some good answers and some that made me lmao!
2007-11-17 03:14:00 · answer #2 · answered by nitroyes 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The battery voltage is 12 volts. The alternator is set for about 14.5 volts. A weak alternator will cause low voltage until the rpms come up. What you are seeing is a 2.5 volt change in the voltage, due to a crappy alternator rebuild job, or a poorly tested one. Just go get another one, and if still have the problem, demand a refund and try a different brand, or even a new one, as opposed to a rebuilt unit.
Now, if the lights were fluctuating at a steady idle, it would be the battery. But in this case, it is definately the alternator.
2007-11-17 10:20:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
All good answers but first put your battery on a charger and make sure it is fully charged-see if it still does it.Then have your battery tested for free at an auto parts store before jumping to conclusions.The alternator on a windstar will not charge the battery-it will only maintain the charge it already has.
2007-11-16 13:38:55 · answer #4 · answered by john t 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scuba gave you a correct answer. BUT if you actually put the alternator in and not a mechanic then check and make sure the belt is tight enough. If you lights are dimming then the belt could be slipping.
2007-11-16 10:10:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Charge the battery and make sure it's good.
If it still does it after the batt is charged, the alt is faulty (or the internal regulator). I had this happen to an older Ford (external regulator) and the regulator was bad. Changed it out and the lights were fine.
2007-11-18 16:09:42 · answer #6 · answered by User0125 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds to me like an alternator with a faulty regulator. Put a voltmeter on the 12V and see if it goes about 14 Volts when you gun the engine.
2007-11-16 10:04:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
your van has a external voltage reg. its a trick little ****, some times it is on the front side of you left fender. also the pig tail on the alternator, and ford is bad about this! check the connector, it may be lose or a bad connection can or may be found there...
2007-11-16 15:48:36 · answer #8 · answered by Bryan C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Belt could be slipping the battery is bad or low on charge the voltage regulator defective,
2007-11-16 11:27:19 · answer #9 · answered by johnboy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
good news and bad news the alternator is operating right the bad news is that your battery is going bad and i recommend a new battery as soon as possible because the power surges you are getting can cause a lot of electrical malfunctions by burning them up
2007-11-16 10:06:32 · answer #10 · answered by scuba369me 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋