HELP No Charge! - Taurus Car Club of America : Ford Taurus Forum

cuzimmaG · 11-13-2012, 06:41 PM

Hi, I'm new to the SHO scene but have worked on vehicles for years. I have a 1995 Ford Taurus SHO 3.0L MTX. I can't seem to keep the car running. I have bought a new alternator and battery as well as idler pulley. The car will still not charge anything. I took the alternator out got it tested it read 17.5 volts. Just to make sure i had it exchanged. Got the new part and still no luck. I've tested all my leads and everything seems to be working fine. What could the problem possibly be? No fuses are blown no major draws no shorts.. I'm totally stumped. Any help would be appreciated.

Breeves002 · 11-13-2012, 06:46 PM

Check grounds and cables.

cuzimmaG · 11-13-2012, 06:52 PM

I've done that as well. Still no good. Everything is pulling the correct ground. Voltmeter.

Breeves002 · 11-13-2012, 06:55 PM

So let me make sure: the car will start up and run until the battery dies, correct? Or will it run but not charge the battery.

cuzimmaG · 11-13-2012, 07:04 PM

Yes you are correct.. It will start when the battery is charged run for about 15 minutes then dies.. no battery light comes on.

intimidator · 11-13-2012, 07:08 PM

Can't remember....internal or external voltage regulator? Could be the culprit if the grounds are good and no draw detected.

cuzimmaG · 11-13-2012, 07:10 PM

no external regulator, no fuseable link. Computer issues maybe? throws no codes..

behlinla · 11-13-2012, 07:17 PM

Check the fuse I indicated in your other post.

P.S. Please don't double post for the same issue.

cuzimmaG · 11-13-2012, 07:28 PM

Checked all fuses are fine.. And i apologize with posting on both sections. I have read the link wrong and unaware on how to delete at this time lol.

behlinla · 11-13-2012, 08:23 PM

Okay, then you need to check the voltages on the back of the alternator to make sure the connections and wires are good.

You should have +12V on the large yellow wire and the orange/light blue wire at all times. With the key on you should also have +12V on the light green/red wire from the instrument cluster. If you don't have voltage on the yellow or orange wires the mega fuse might be blown.

There is a field test screw on the back of the alternator for testing, but you have to be very careful using it. When you ground the screw, it will send full current through the field coil, and the alternator should produce maximum output. However, the voltage will not be regulated, so the high voltage can damage other components. Therefore, you must have the screw grounded for only a very short time, like one or two seconds. Obviously have your volt meter set up and ready well before you do this.

11-13-2012, 06:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
cuzimmaG Junior Member Member Number: 51189 Join Date: Nov 2012 Chapter: Northeast Drives: 1995 Ford Taurus SHO 3.0L Visit: My Garage Posts: 13 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 0	HELP No Charge! Hi, I'm new to the SHO scene but have worked on vehicles for years. I have a 1995 Ford Taurus SHO 3.0L MTX. I can't seem to keep the car running. I have bought a new alternator and battery as well as idler pulley. The car will still not charge anything. I took the alternator out got it tested it read 17.5 volts. Just to make sure i had it exchanged. Got the new part and still no luck. I've tested all my leads and everything seems to be working fine. What could the problem possibly be? No fuses are blown no major draws no shorts.. I'm totally stumped. Any help would be appreciated.

11-13-2012, 06:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
Breeves002 The Big Cheese Member Number: 49890 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: St. Louis, MO Chapter: Midwest Drives: 2008 Mercury Sable Premier Visit: My Garage Posts: 3,948 Trader Score: 6 reviews Rep Power: 10	Check grounds and cables. __________________ Sam 2008 Mercury Sable Premier 2012 Kia Soul Base AT 1.6GDI Moved On: 2000 Sable LS Premium Duratec View what I have for sale: HERE ENTER NOW FOR May's WAGON ONLY CAR OF THE MONTH!! *CLICK HERE*

11-13-2012, 06:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
Breeves002 The Big Cheese Member Number: 49890 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: St. Louis, MO Chapter: Midwest Drives: 2008 Mercury Sable Premier Visit: My Garage Posts: 3,948 Trader Score: 6 reviews Rep Power: 10	So let me make sure: the car will start up and run until the battery dies, correct? Or will it run but not charge the battery. __________________ Sam 2008 Mercury Sable Premier 2012 Kia Soul Base AT 1.6GDI Moved On: 2000 Sable LS Premium Duratec View what I have for sale: HERE ENTER NOW FOR May's WAGON ONLY CAR OF THE MONTH!! *CLICK HERE*

11-13-2012, 07:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
intimidator Member Member Number: 18727 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Royalton,Ohio Chapter: Midwest Drives: 12 SEL 201a 3.5 Visit: My Garage Posts: 330 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 5	Can't remember....internal or external voltage regulator? Could be the culprit if the grounds are good and no draw detected. __________________ 04 Taurus SES 3.0 Vulcan 03 Sable LS 3.0 Duratec 98 Contour Sport 2.5 Duratec 97 Lincoln Continental 4.6 Intech 70 Yamaha Twin 250 02 Kawasaki Vulcan Custom Twin 800 00 F-250 SuperDuty 4x4 6.8 v-10 Triton 12 Taurus SEL 3.5 Duratec FWD

11-13-2012, 07:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
cuzimmaG Junior Member Member Number: 51189 Join Date: Nov 2012 Chapter: Northeast Drives: 1995 Ford Taurus SHO 3.0L Visit: My Garage Posts: 13 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 0	no external regulator, no fuseable link. Computer issues maybe? throws no codes.. Last edited by cuzimmaG; 11-13-2012 at 07:13 PM.

11-13-2012, 06:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
cuzimmaG Junior Member Member Number: 51189 Join Date: Nov 2012 Chapter: Northeast Drives: 1995 Ford Taurus SHO 3.0L Visit: My Garage Posts: 13 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 0	I've done that as well. Still no good. Everything is pulling the correct ground. Voltmeter.

11-13-2012, 07:04 PM	#5 (permalink)
cuzimmaG Junior Member Member Number: 51189 Join Date: Nov 2012 Chapter: Northeast Drives: 1995 Ford Taurus SHO 3.0L Visit: My Garage Posts: 13 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 0	Yes you are correct.. It will start when the battery is charged run for about 15 minutes then dies.. no battery light comes on.

11-13-2012, 07:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
behlinla Technical Advisor Member Number: 14275 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Wisconsin Chapter: Midwest Drives: 2006 Taurus SEL Visit: My Garage Posts: 5,621 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 10	Check the fuse I indicated in your other post. P.S. Please don't double post for the same issue.

11-13-2012, 07:28 PM	#9 (permalink)
cuzimmaG Junior Member Member Number: 51189 Join Date: Nov 2012 Chapter: Northeast Drives: 1995 Ford Taurus SHO 3.0L Visit: My Garage Posts: 13 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 0	Checked all fuses are fine.. And i apologize with posting on both sections. I have read the link wrong and unaware on how to delete at this time lol.

11-13-2012, 08:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
behlinla Technical Advisor Member Number: 14275 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Wisconsin Chapter: Midwest Drives: 2006 Taurus SEL Visit: My Garage Posts: 5,621 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 10	Okay, then you need to check the voltages on the back of the alternator to make sure the connections and wires are good. You should have +12V on the large yellow wire and the orange/light blue wire at all times. With the key on you should also have +12V on the light green/red wire from the instrument cluster. If you don't have voltage on the yellow or orange wires the mega fuse might be blown. There is a field test screw on the back of the alternator for testing, but you have to be very careful using it. When you ground the screw, it will send full current through the field coil, and the alternator should produce maximum output. However, the voltage will not be regulated, so the high voltage can damage other components. Therefore, you must have the screw grounded for only a very short time, like one or two seconds. Obviously have your volt meter set up and ready well before you do this.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Ford Taurus Forum Advertisement