96 Taurus electrical problems - Ford Forums

DaddyOof4 · 07-04-2009, 08:29

what would cause both wipers and electric windows to stop operating at the same time. I was driving in the rain, and when I accelerated, the batt light came on, and the windows and wipers stopped, as soon as I let of the accelerator, the batt light went out, the wipers came on, and the windows functioned. I have been fighting this for about a week now. first I replaced batt, then the belt. I replaced the belt because when the batt light comes on, the car is hard to steer, leading me to believe the belt was slipping. After replacing the belt, nothing changed. still hard to steer when batt light comes on. The only time everything functions properly is when the car is setting at idle. it seems when you rev the engine, the batt light will come on, again, sounds like a belt slipping. ANyone have any ideas. I'm thinking altrernator now, but why would the power stearing be effeceted by a bad alt? Any ideas or advice is welcome.

**tbird100636** · 07-04-2009, 15:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaddyOof4

what would cause both wipers and electric windows to stop operating at the same time. I was driving in the rain, and when I accelerated, the batt light came on, and the windows and wipers stopped, as soon as I let of the accelerator, the batt light went out, the wipers came on, and the windows functioned. I have been fighting this for about a week now. first I replaced batt, then the belt. I replaced the belt because when the batt light comes on, the car is hard to steer, leading me to believe the belt was slipping. After replacing the belt, nothing changed. still hard to steer when batt light comes on. The only time everything functions properly is when the car is setting at idle. it seems when you rev the engine, the batt light will come on, again, sounds like a belt slipping. ANyone have any ideas. I'm thinking altrernator now, but why would the power stearing be effeceted by a bad alt? Any ideas or advice is welcome.

My initial opinion is that the serp. belt tensioner is binding up, and causing the belt to be improperly tensioned. The tensioner shouldn't bind when moving, there should be tension when backing it off to remove the belt, and it should spring back. If it is extremely hard to move or won't move far enough for belt removal then you need a tensioner.

DaddyOof4 · 07-04-2009, 18:59

I thought about the tensioner. When i changed the belt, it seemed to function properly. Maybe, but I have another question. I tested the voltage at the bat whit the ignition off, I got 12.5 volts. When I started it, and checked again, it was over 19 volts. after warming up it settled down to 18.5. This seems a bit high. I have to assume this is the voltage regulator.

**jwko** · 07-04-2009, 20:54

That's too much voltage. Yep, sounds like the voltage regulator is gone.

DaddyOof4 · 07-05-2009, 17:28

That car is draining a fully charged new battery, just sitting overnight. can this and the high voltage be caused by a short somewhere?

**jwko** · 07-05-2009, 17:37

I have heard of a bad voltage regulator causing a constant voltage draw. You need to take the alternator off, and take it to autozone or some other parts store and have it checked. I'm betting that's the problem.

DaddyOof4 · 07-06-2009, 11:04

one more question before I take off the alt, would it be best to take it off to have tested, or take the car to atouzone and have it tested?

**jwko** · 07-06-2009, 11:06

With it putting out that much voltage, I would take it off and carry it in.

**tbird100636** · 07-08-2009, 20:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaddyOof4

That car is draining a fully charged new battery, just sitting overnight. can this and the high voltage be caused by a short somewhere?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwko

I have heard of a bad voltage regulator causing a constant voltage draw. You need to take the alternator off, and take it to autozone or some other parts store and have it checked. I'm betting that's the problem.

A shorted diode in the alternator can cause overcharging and overnight battery drain too. Definetely get it off and get it tested at Autozone.