Battery? Alternator....who knows

[Cheftjpeck]

Well the gt500 decided to scare the stuff out of me today..apparently these cars love to go haywire when the battery goes bad...weird thing is I replaced the battery a year ago...anyways driving down the road....then car radio goes offand makes noises like it reset itself...starts clicking and the time is reset back to 12:00 and am radio comes on...car bucks real hard when this happens like it lost power..then back to normal...radio is off....I turn radio back on and radio shuts off and says LOW BATTERY.... then ABS light comes on...air bag light comes on....Check Traction Control comes on....gauges go freaking nuts...car starts running like its in limp mode...so I slow down pull over to safe area and car stalls..... Go to crank it and no crank just one then clicking....
call ford roadside assistance...then call my local dealer they advise that this is a sign of dead battery or faulty alternator or both.. YAY ME!!!

anyone else every experience this scary stuff while driving....its hard to believe that a battery will cause this to happen while driving..the old days the car would still stay running....
any tips or experiences welcomed....thanks

[Joe G]

Do your battery terminals look like this? :yuk:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc289/JoeG_09/Shelbyfest%202010/untitled24.jpg

[Tommy Gun]

Been there done that.

The car needs a very good charge source to keep things going.

If your car sits a lot then the battery drains enough that the alternator will never catch it back up, it will need a charge.

If left too long it will kill the battery for sure.

Mine wiped out the alternator trying to catch the battery back up, which won't happen.

I always check for a good voltage if the car sits a week or two.

.

[Cheftjpeck]

Been there done that.

The car needs a very good charge source to keep things going.

If your car sits a lot then the battery drains enough that the alternator will never catch it back up, it will need a charge.

If left too long it will kill the battery for sure.

Mine wiped out the alternator trying to catch the battery back up, which won't happen.

I always check for a good voltage if the car sits a week or two.

.
I drive mine everyday....could be the heat....who knows....but it scares ya...let me tell ya.... hope its JUST the battery...not freaking alternator....

[Tommy Gun]

I drive mine everyday....could be the heat....who knows....but it scares ya...let me tell ya.... hope its JUST the battery...not freaking alternator....


Yeah that's odd if you drive it all the time.

Is it still under warranty? Because it is a real pain!!! to change out an alternator if that is what it is.

.

[Cheftjpeck]

Yeah that's odd if you drive it all the time.

Is it still under warranty? Because it is a real pain!!! to change out an alternator if that is what it is.

.
no warranty
i replaced battery a year ago or so..battery is stamped 8/10
I HOPE IT IS NOT THE ALTERNATOR!!!!!! I know those ARE FREAKING EXPENSIVE....

[Cheftjpeck]

Do your battery terminals look like this? :yuk:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc289/JoeG_09/Shelbyfest%202010/untitled24.jpg

LOL...NO... :rofl3:

[Tommy Gun]

no warranty
i replaced battery a year ago or so..battery is stamped 8/10
I HOPE IT IS NOT THE ALTERNATOR!!!!!! I know those ARE FREAKING EXPENSIVE....


I used one of these....

http://www.pa-performance.com/Scripts/prodList.asp?modelid=35&makeid=33&engineid=2181&engineyr=2007&enginename=5.4L%20%28Shelby%20GT500%29&modelname=Mustang


.

[Boston Mike]

Do your battery terminals look like this? :yuk:

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc289/JoeG_09/Shelbyfest%202010/untitled24.jpg

But mi e keeps humming along. Now the clutch is a different story.

[Cheftjpeck]

thanks guys....now just wait until monday to get the call from the dealer...normally I would take home and self diagnose..however Ford roadside assistance HAS to be towed to a dealer...and local tow truck company was going to charge me over $85 to go 4 miles.... plus I know some peeps at the dealer so I am going to call in a favor to a guy...

[bigb427]

You don't want to hear this, but it sure sounds like the alternator to me. I've replaced more than a few of them. When the system voltage gets down around 10 volts, they will do all kinds of weird stuff just like you mentioned.

[Joe G]

You don't want to hear this, but it sure sounds like the alternator to me. I've replaced more than a few of them. When the system voltage gets down around 10 volts, they will do all kinds of weird stuff just like you mentioned. :iagree:

[Cheftjpeck]

yeah I know....hoping the dealer is kind to me...(what a joke that is) my contacts there are pretty solid (owner and all) However they were a little more easily HELPFUL when I worked at the casino and had juice....not so much Im sure anymore...
I am assuming it will be $500++ to replace...as Alternator is over $260 (albeit Tousley has it for $207) and at least 3 hours labor
this sux for sure....oh well...its only money...maybe buy the PA alt and have dealer just do install as the PA is better than OEM...

[Joe G]

Don't buy another OEM alt. Buy the PA or another aftermarket one.

[badboy500]

Been there done that.

The car needs a very good charge source to keep things going.

If your car sits a lot then the battery drains enough that the alternator will never catch it back up, it will need a charge.

If left too long it will kill the battery for sure.

Mine wiped out the alternator trying to catch the battery back up, which won't happen.

I always check for a good voltage if the car sits a week or two.

.

Yup, same thing happend to me. R and R the Alt and all is good.

[badboy500]

yeah I know....hoping the dealer is kind to me...(what a joke that is) my contacts there are pretty solid (owner and all) However they were a little more easily HELPFUL when I worked at the casino and had juice....not so much Im sure anymore...
I am assuming it will be $500++ to replace...as Alternator is over $260 (albeit Tousley has it for $207) and at least 3 hours labor
this sux for sure....oh well...its only money...maybe buy the PA alt and have dealer just do install as the PA is better than OEM...

One Hr to r and r. Easy job. PA makes a good part with 130 amp.

[badboy500]

don't buy another oem alt. Buy the pa or another aftermarket one.

yup.....+1

[Joe G]

I'm checking to see how BVMP can be a PA Performance dealer....

[Darkside]

yeah I know....hoping the dealer is kind to me...(what a joke that is) my contacts there are pretty solid (owner and all) However they were a little more easily HELPFUL when I worked at the casino and had juice....not so much Im sure anymore...

You still have juice TJ. People should still respect that, especially since its H2O wielded by me. :grin:

[bigb427]

Don't buy another OEM alt. Buy the PA or another aftermarket one.

I'm afraid I'm going to have to disagree with this. I don't remember the brand, but I've had to remove more than one brand new aftermarket alternator because they weren't charging properly, or caused check engine lamp to come on, or caused a check charging system warning.

[Tommy Gun]

One Hr to r and r. Easy job. PA makes a good part with 130 amp.

Mine took 3 hours easy w/ no lift. I had some serious bolt issues and things in the way. :nonono:
.

[Tommy Gun]

I'm afraid I'm going to have to disagree with this. I don't remember the brand, but I've had to remove more than one brand new aftermarket alternator because they weren't charging properly, or caused check engine lamp to come on, or caused a check charging system warning.


PA alternators are a high quality, made in America, lifetime warranty part.

You can't say that about many things anymore.


Now as far as auto part store alternators, I would definitely go w/a factory over that.

.

[68fastback]

Some tunes force the alternator to maintain elevated voltages on set-ups where HP is marginalizing fuel flow reserve -- defeating Fords voltage management strategy.

Not saying you have such a tune, Tom (dunno), but those tunes are known to fry alternators regularly and it does fail like you described -- but could also just be a 'normal' failure too.

[Cheftjpeck]

Thx again for tips etc guys.. Just have to wait for call tomorrow and see what dealer says.. If it is alternator I will see about ordering from lethal etc (depending on what dealer says charge will be) can't complain too much this alternator did last over 40k in this heat through battery problems of last year, smaller pullies and aftermarket tunes.. My 05 had the dreaded repeat Alt failure and engine codes issue..

[Carnut]

Thx again for tips etc guys.. Just have to wait for call tomorrow and see what dealer says.. If it is alternator I will see about ordering from lethal etc (depending on what dealer says charge will be) can't complain too much this alternator did last over 40k in this heat through battery problems of last year, smaller pullies and aftermarket tunes.. My 05 had the dreaded repeat Alt failure and engine codes issue..

I found a local generator shop that rebuilds alternators, including all late model stuff. Frequently it is something minor and the charge is in the forty dollar range instead of the four hundred dollar range.

[Tommy Gun]

I found a local generator shop that rebuilds alternators, including all late model stuff. Frequently it is something minor and the charge is in the forty dollar range instead of the four hundred dollar range.

I still have my stock alternator and thought about having it checked/fixed just to keep if ever needed.







....or to put back on the car in 40 years because it is an original Shelby part. :rolleyes:
.

[Carnut]

I still have my stock alternator and thought about having it checked/fixed just to keep if ever needed.









....or to put back on the car in 40 years because it is an original Shelby part. :rolleyes:
.

Is it a match number alternator?

[Tommy Gun]

Is it a match number alternator?




Um.....sure. :rolleyes:




Back in the day you could buy alternator parts at the parts store and just fix some stuff yourself in half an hour.

I haven't pulled this one apart to see if parts can be easily replaced or if stuff is soldered together and more complicated now or not.

We use to carry alternator rebuild parts w/ us when trail riding in the Jeep because you never knew if a deep water crossing would kill someones alternator or not....it was that easy to fix.

.

[Stew]

I found a local generator shop that rebuilds alternators, including all late model stuff. Frequently it is something minor and the charge is in the forty dollar range instead of the four hundred dollar range.

+1 $45.00 to rebuild the alternator in my '95 replaced the voltage regulator and the cleaned and serviced the rest, no issues since.

[Carnut]

Waste not, want not.

[68fastback]

Waste not, want not.

:wtg:

...wondering if on newer cars where voltage regulation is handled by the ECU if it's most likely just the diodes on the alternator that got fried ...and those can probably be replaced easily (tho they have to be soldered correctly to not fry the new ones). $45 to have it done is pretty reasonable :look:

[Cheftjpeck]

I remember years ago my dad would NEVER buy new alternators.. He would just rebuild them... Tried showing me when I was a kid unfortunately I was more interested in driving the cars and chasing the girls rather than LEARNING some
Awesome mechanical stuff from a VERY wise man.. That and cooking... Man if I could have gained some of that
Mechanical know how and knowledge my dad has when I was younger.. My dad has forgotten more stuff than I know..
:nonono: :banghead:

[68fastback]

...but I bet he can't cook like you can ;-)

[Carnut]

The last one I rebuilt was a biotch. You have to hold the brushes back from the commutator to get the housing halfs together. Finally I discovered the little holes that you insert (a paper clip in my case) but the hole had been sealed with some sort of epoxy. I just redrilled it, assembled it and re-filled the holes with a little silicon sealer.

Sometimes the commutator needs to be recut and a special tool is required for that.

I find it easier just to take to the shop after you figure the price of the a new bearing, brushes etc. IMO

[Cheftjpeck]

Well... It was alternator and battery was bad too due to draining it.. Wouldn't take a charge.. Dealer hooked me up good.. Gave me big $$$ break etc
So my car is alive again... :grin:

[Joe G]

:wtg:


Glad you were taken care of without DS having to bring out the bucket. :ninja3:

[68fastback]

:wtg: :banana: glad you're back on the road, chef!

[Tommy Gun]

Great news on your baby Chef! :wtg:




Now go wash it. :giggle:

.

[mustang loco]

glad that you're up & running Chef!!!

[Cheftjpeck]

:wtg:


Glad you were taken care of without DS having to bring out the bucket. :ninja3:

Yeah they were lucky this time.... :grin: plus all the tree huggers are happy because we conserved water

[Cheftjpeck]

:wtg: :banana: glad you're back on the road, chef!
Thx!!! With a repair and battery warranty to boot...

[Cheftjpeck]

Great news on your baby Chef! :wtg:




Now go wash it. :giggle:

.
:hey2: why I oughta :trouble:

[Cheftjpeck]

glad that you're up & running Chef!!!
With that avatar you have there it's hard not to be up...
:grin:

[Carnut]

Good deal. I still have the orginal battery in my '08.

I should check the water level in it soon.

[Joe G]

I should check the water level in it soon.

:waiting:

[VaporDude]

Good deal. I still have the orginal battery in my '08.

I should check the water level in it soon.

Thanks for the reminder. I still have mine in the car.

Chef......what alternator did they install and how bad did they rob your wallet?

[Cheftjpeck]

Thanks for the reminder. I still have mine in the car.

Chef......what alternator did they install and how bad did they rob your wallet?

alternator was FMC 110 amp for 5.4L (comes with 12 month 12,000 mile warranty) listed at $324 plus core....I got it for $207 w core

Labor was $150 so $357 (although it was listed at 2.5 hours)

Battery was $90 installed
all said and done....new alternator with 12/12 warranty (yes even with the current mods I have and its in writing)
Battery w 3/36 (which surprised the heck out of me)

total after Uncle sam and all was like $480 would have been over $625

[Cheftjpeck]

oh
PS
had I went with an aftermarket Alternator I would have paid $125 more (between taxes and delivery etc) no warranty except on the install

[VaporDude]

That wasn't too bad. Since you went with the OEM alternator, you going to have to go through this drill in about another 40K miles?

[Cheftjpeck]

That wasn't too bad. Since you went with the OEM alternator, you going to have to go through this drill in about another 40K miles?
who knows....or less..... we will see

[Cheftjpeck]

good news is...I had my car datalogged and found out that my tuner did not mess with the parameters that mess with the ford logic for voltage (for the alternator etc) ...thats cool

[Joe G]

good news is...I had my car datalogged and found out that my tuner did not mess with the parameters that mess with the ford logic for voltage (for the alternator etc) ...thats cool

Good news! :wtg:

[Tommy Gun]

:hey2: why I oughta :trouble:


:oops:

.

[Tommy Gun]

oh
PS
had I went with an aftermarket Alternator I would have paid $125 more (between taxes and delivery etc) no warranty except on the install


PA Alternators have a lifetime warranty. :look:


.

[Boston Mike]

Been there done that.

The car needs a very good charge source to keep things going.

If your car sits a lot then the battery drains enough that the alternator will never catch it back up, it will need a charge.

If left too long it will kill the battery for sure.

Mine wiped out the alternator trying to catch the battery back up, which won't happen.

I always check for a good voltage if the car sits a week or two.

.

Yup. Let my car sit for 2 weeks (vacation) and click click click at start up. Can jump, but not catching up the battery. Good thing BVM is about to have a new product offering.

[VaporDude]

Yup. Let my car sit for 2 weeks (vacation) and click click click at start up. Can jump, but not catching up the battery. Good thing BVM is about to have a new product offering.

Is your battery terminals clean? :haha:

Just sayin........... :grin:

[Boston Mike]

Is your battery terminals clean? :haha:

Just sayin........... :grin:

yup, and new battery, so that ain't it. Wise ***

[Tommy Gun]

Find a good battery tender.

Winter is always worse on a battery sitting around.

I have a few of these, they work awesome.


http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200332201_200332201

.

[Joe G]

Find a good battery tender.

Winter is always worse on a battery sitting around.

I have a few of these, they work awesome.


http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200332201_200332201

. I have 2 of these too, and they work great.

Minnesota tested, Minnesota approved! :cold:

http://i646.photobucket.com/albums/uu190/webkinzpost/Smilies/signed.gif

[Tommy Gun]

Sheesh, make up your mind where you are at? :banghead:

.

[Cheftjpeck]

That sux mike... At least you have a great source for replacement...
I have been away from my car for 3 weeks now but have a designated starter while im gone
No driving... Just starting :grin:

[Joe G]

have a designated starter while im gone
No driving... Just starting :grin:
:weg:

:chirp:


:innocent:

[Cheftjpeck]

:weg:

:chirp:


:innocent:
I would kill him... :trouble:

[Grabber]

My battery crapped out 2 weeks ago in a parking lot at a restaurant on a Sat. afternoon. Everything in the car went dead and then the radio and shaker 1000 in the trunk started clicking and the air bag light was on too. Door locks would not work...nothing at all. Lucky me I was across the street from a battery store. They put a new one in and everything was back to normal. so, my battery in my 2007 almost lasted 5 years.

[Cheftjpeck]

My battery crapped out 2 weeks ago in a parking lot at a restaurant on a Sat. afternoon. Everything in the car went dead and then the radio and shaker 1000 in the trunk started clicking and the air bag light was on too. Door locks would not work...nothing at all. Lucky me I was across the street from a battery store. They put a new one in and everything was back to normal. so, my battery in my 2007 almost lasted 5 years.
Have u verified your alternator is charging correctly?? Just don't want what happened to me happen to you

[Birdman]

Find a good battery tender.

Winter is always worse on a battery sitting around.

I have a few of these, they work awesome.


http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200332201_200332201

.

Great advice TG...a must for all cars that are not driven on a daily basis....:wtg: Especially these new cars with all their electronics that are a constant drain albeit ever so small.

[Tommy Gun]

Have u verified your alternator is charging correctly?? Just don't want what happened to me happen to you


Good point Chef. :wtg:

[Birdman]

:iagree: ^

[Boston Mike]

Find a good battery tender.

Winter is always worse on a battery sitting around.

I have a few of these, they work awesome.


http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200332201_200332201

.


Its a good thing I get to drive mine year round then......:look:

[Tommy Gun]

Its a good thing I get to drive mine year round then......:look:

I usually can also.

[Grabber]

Have u verified your alternator is charging correctly?? Just don't want what happened to me happen to you

What is the best way to do that ?

[Tommy Gun]

What is the best way to do that ?

W a multimeter.

W the car running, you check the voltage and it should within range shown in your manual.

Probably somewhere between 13.5 and 15 volts

[Grabber]

W a multimeter.

W the car running, you check the voltage and it should within range shown in your manual.

Probably somewhere between 13.5 and 15 volts

Thanks. I need to stop by the battery shop and have them put the meter on and check it.

[68fastback]

Find a good battery tender.

Winter is always worse on a battery sitting around.

I have a few of these, they work awesome.


http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200332201_200332201

.

That's a nice little battery maintainer!! 1.3 amps is too low to use as a true charger but perfect for maintaining charge over long periods ...the high-frequency pulsing is also a worthwhile feature ...it won't 'fix' a battery that's been compromized from being deep discharged but it will keep the plates and electrolyte in the best condition their physical state will permit.

[Tommy Gun]

That's a nice little battery maintainer!! 1.3 amps is too low to use as a true charger but perfect for maintaining charge over long periods ...the high-frequency pulsing is also a worthwhile feature ...it won't 'fix' a battery that's been compromized from being deep discharged but it will keep the plates and electrolyte in the best condition their physical state will permit.

I use them on everything, the cars, the jetski's, the 4 wheelers, the generator battery, the trailer battery..... I have too much crap. :nonono:

.

[68fastback]

I bought one the other day ...I used to put th tractor battery on the 10A charger for a while before storage and after each year and was getting about 6 years from those little tractor batteries but I figure it's worth a try because I noticed that the tractor batter degrades a little every year so I'm thinking this might help it over-winter better -- and I can also use it on the Ranger since it doesn't get used that much in winter.

[Boston Mike]

turns out, my alternator is fine. Truly was the battery (must have gotten a faulty one.........free replacement at Autozone). After replacing, the alternator was testing fine with the multimeter. One less thing to do now. On to the clutch.