WTH would cause this??

[bjtheman1]

On my way home then all of a sudden my radar detector starts shutting off saying low voltage....then my blinkers stop working...last lost all power to my radio, speedometer, etc. Car still ran so I made it home but haven't started looking into it yet, was gonna let it cool down a bit.

Any ideas?

[xkape]

My money is on the usual culprits.. battery, then alternator.

[gtncpa]

Keep an eye on your radio. When my alternator died my radio was the fist to tell me. it actually turned off. i turned it back on and it said on the display "Low voltage" or something like that. i don't have a fancy radio ... just the Shaker 500. The car slowly shuts down non essential electric items, windows, radio, instruments, and it tries to use all of the reaming power to keep the car running. Pretty cool if you ask me.

I think once you hit 60K on a Ford you are on borrowed time with the alternator. I lost the one and my Mustang and the one in my Wife's Mountaineer at just under 70.

[DiMora]

Bad alternator most likely. Could also be the battery.

[bjtheman1]

Started checkin it out. Battery voltage is at 11.8 when the car is off, while started it got up to 10.8. I turned on the radio, headlights and heater and the voltage is dropping!! At 8.0 right now, radio and headlights cut off too. Once I turn it off the battery voltage goes back up to 11.8

[AutoXRacer]

Alternator is not providing power!!! I got my original available if you need a quick get me back on the road...

[bjtheman1]

Alternator is not providing power!!! I got my original available if you need a quick get me back on the road...

Very cool of you man. I actually just got back from autozone, they had 1 in stock a Duralast....but of course, something has to be complicated for me. Here's my dilema:



See what my finger is pointing at...whatever those are won't allow the alternator to sit flush and line up correctly when trying to bolt back up. The old unit doesn't have them, they actually look like they were shaved off.

WTF

[bjtheman1]

Well fortunately my neighbor has everything so he let me borrow his grinder and I got it off. Got it installed and everything is running smooth. Voltage is back to normal as well

[AutoXRacer]

Yep, there are ROUSH specific alternators you can buy from PA Performance or grind a stock alternator ear off... lol

[twobitcoder]

A good working alternator will put 14 volts through the entire system while the engine is running. So, a voltmeter on the positive battery lead will show you. Also, I saw at an auto store an accessory plug (i.e. cigarette lighter) that shows the voltages for testing battery/alternator--pretty cool.

[screaming_pc]

Just tape up the cooling holes on the alternator and take a hacksaw and cut them off then grind it down smooth. Takes no time.

[Pentalab]

Just tape up the cooling holes on the alternator and take a hacksaw and cut them off then grind it down smooth. Takes no time.

Plan B is to put a plastic bag over top of the entire alternator, except for the 1 or 2 ears you want to cut-grind off.....then tape the bag shut around it.
I believe only one ear actually has to be removed ( lower outside ear). When all done, shake off any debris, and with bag vertical, with opening at top.... pull the bag straight down. That saves masking a jillion cooling holes.

Jimbo

[twobitcoder]

And it's aluminum so it cuts very easily with a hacksaw... no need for power tools.