Battery Light/Car Dying

[megax29]

I've been having a problem with my car. I've got about 116k miles on it 2004 automatic and I've done all of the cars maintenance since it was born.

There are two symptoms: 1) When accelerating on any gear over 3k rpm the batter light flashes on dash until the next gear goes in and drops rpms under 3k. 2) Sometimes after running it and being parked I come back in to turn it on and it sounds like I got a dead battery.

I changed the plugs at around 90k and just this weekend I changed the wires. When changing the wires I saw the plugs had a white bluish film of stuff collecting on the plugs end. I think this means something about the engine running lean or rich. I'm not sure if it's related but if in fact it is running lean or rich it may be as a result of a major leak I have on my passanger side exhaust manifold. I've checked the batter life at autozone and it read good. What could it be?

[Herbstang]

you might have a power draw in the car somewhere. An easy way to find it is to disconnect the negative battery cable and connect a test light between the battery negative post and the cable.If the light turns on,you have a power draw.Then start removing fuses one at a time until the light goes out. When it goes out,you found the source of the drain and then you can go from there. If the light doesn't go out,then disconnect the alternator itself.

Dirty battery terminals ??? positive connector over tighten or to loose ??

How To Troubleshoot Your Electrical System - Mustang Monthly

Damn 100K I just broke 19,500 on mine

[megax29]

I don't feel very comfortable in the procedure to take when using the test light. Is there some sort of guide that shows exactly what to do? I'd rather do it myself vs paying a mechanic $90/hr, min one hour.

[02vert]

my wifes 99 did that i told her to check the alternatir but she didnt. a few days l8r it fell out the bottom of her car. i replaced it and it was fine no light.

[SpectorV]

you can take the alternator in and have it tested

[megax29]

I bought a used exhaust manifold cuz I had a leak and it'll go into the shop tomorrow. They'll check the alternator while it's in there. I'll follow up.

[crazeflier07]

You dont have a aftermarket stereo do you? Maybe one of your power wires to your system is grounding out? Hope its something simple.
~Jon~

[megax29]

I do have an amp and a pair of subs hopefully it is a quick fix...I'll let you guys know what it is end of today. My guess is that the alternator is weak.

[dapack69]

AutoZone can check the alt while its in the car. I do it all the time.

[megax29]

The shop said I do need a new alternator. I was thinking a used one from an junked mustang. Any ideas as to where I can get the best deal? They 'fixed' the exhaust leak from the manifold. I had bought a used one off of a 98 I think and the guy who put it in said that he did all that he could and it's still leaking air at about the same rate slightly less. Ideas on that? I just wanna shut it up to where I hear my muffler and not the leak. The leak makes it sound broke or old.

[02vert]

dont buy a used alt. u could buy one thats about to break. just buy a new one

[Herbstang]

Quote: Originally Posted by 02vert dont buy a used alt. u could buy one thats about to break. just buy a new one

What he said !!!! Might be time for some after market headers

[megax29]

Any ideas one where I can buy a new alternator then? I didn't want to buy aftermarket headers cuz I didn't wanna invest money on the motor. I was planning on changing the motor to a 4.6. In the mean time I wanted to work on the cars rear end suspension wheels and electronics. Ideas on the exhaust leak?

[02vert]

auto zone, parts america, pep boys

[Smokedya95stang]

dont buy a pepboys alternator. Their parts are junk. Id stick a alternator in and the next day the car would be back cause the alt shit the bed..