|
|
2004 Ford Crown Vic Interceptor Electrical Problem
|
|
|
| |
|
|
shawnattt
Novice
Mar 2, 2011, 3:01 PM
Post #1 of 12
(10748 views)
|
2004 Ford Crown Vic Interceptor Electrical Problem
|
|
|
Fan and lights started dimming as I was driving. Then as I was warming it up one day the battery just died while it was running. Replaced alternator (had old one bench tested - it's dead). Still has battery light on, and gauge is showing low voltage, even with new alternator. Checked ground and replaced part of the wire. Cleaned battery posts and connections. Had recently replaced ignition and starter as well. Can't figure out where the problem is. Any advice?
|
|
| |
|
|
zmame
Veteran
/ Moderator
Mar 2, 2011, 3:16 PM
Post #2 of 12
(10735 views)
|
|
Re: 2004 Ford Crown Vic Interceptor Electrical Problem
|
|
|
at the three pin connector at the alternator do you have 12V @ YE/WH wire. If not check fues 6(15A) in battery junction box(fues box under hood) if it's ok. Put a load test on YE/WH hook a bulb to it and see if it will light it (like a 3157 bulb). Do you have 12V @ the red cable hooking to you alternator if not check fuesable links they will be 2 gray wires inline with the red wire near the battery box. You might have to remove the battery and or battery box to access it.
(This post was edited by zmame on Mar 2, 2011, 3:17 PM)
|
|
| |
|
|
shawnattt
Novice
Mar 12, 2011, 2:37 PM
Post #3 of 12
(10700 views)
|
|
Re: 2004 Ford Crown Vic Interceptor Electrical Problem
|
|
|
2004 crown vic (cop car) charges intermittently. Alt. has been replaced. Old one bench tested and not producing anything. When car does charge the voltage jumps around at times. Replaced positive cable which goes to the fuse box. Tried a different battery. Am at wits end chasing the ghost that's in my car
|
|
| |
|
|
zmame
Veteran
/ Moderator
Mar 12, 2011, 6:27 PM
Post #4 of 12
(10693 views)
|
|
Re: 2004 Ford Crown Vic Interceptor Electrical Problem
|
|
|
possibly defective alternator or pins in connector not making good contact. when it stops charging put a volt meter on battery watch reading jiggle the connector see if it starts charging again.. if not try tapping the ALT lightly with small hammer while watching voltage for a jump.
|
|
| |
|
|
shawnattt
Novice
Mar 12, 2011, 10:34 PM
Post #5 of 12
(10686 views)
|
|
Re: 2004 Ford Crown Vic Interceptor Electrical Problem
|
|
|
Ya I had a meter on it. Jiggling the wire didn't move the meter. I tried that both while it was working, and when it wasn't charging on every cable/ wire and it didn't do anything. Put a test light on the connector and there is power, and ground. It was easier getting the third bolt off for the starter than figuring this out. The alt. I have in the car is not the 200 amp though. I got the smaller 175 amp. but that shouldn't matter.
|
|
| |
|
|
zmame
Veteran
/ Moderator
Mar 13, 2011, 9:51 AM
Post #6 of 12
(10680 views)
|
|
Re: 2004 Ford Crown Vic Interceptor Electrical Problem
|
|
|
did you jiggle the 3 wire connector on top.. and did you give the alt light tap to see if it would start working again.
|
|
| |
|
|
shawnattt
Novice
Mar 21, 2011, 5:18 PM
Post #7 of 12
(10652 views)
|
|
Re: 2004 Ford Crown Vic Interceptor Electrical Problem
|
|
|
Moving the wires, and tapping the alt. didn't do anything. I can get the alt to charge but when starting you have to rev it up like an old tractor to get it to start charging. once its charging the voltage coming off is constant and it appears to be working fine. Took a working alt. out of the same style/ year car, and same result. however i now have a new ghost to chase. the gauge for the alt is now not working at all, and the battery light comes on even though the alt is producing 13.4V. i suspect the light is connected right to the gauge and as the gauge is now dead the light will come on regardless. Also the headlights do not come on when the car is started, but do work when you turn on the switch. i also suspect the fuel gauge has stopped working because i drove the car probably forty kilometers, and had it running while checking everything and it hasn't moved. It's stuck at 3/4 of a tank. So my questions I guess are these. Is the circuit board that plugs in to the back of the gauge cluster responsible for the volt meter, fuel gauge, and running lights? Could it have blown when the voltage was spiking earlier? And, why do you have to rev it up to get the alternator to start charging? All fuses are good, and we have even swapped relays out. There seems to be no explanation. Unless I'm missing something. Please help, my cop car is making me want to turn to a life of crime
|
|
| |
|
|
zmame
Veteran
/ Moderator
Mar 21, 2011, 6:55 PM
Post #8 of 12
(10647 views)
|
|
Re: 2004 Ford Crown Vic Interceptor Electrical Problem
|
|
|
your PCM determins the optimal voltage of your charging system, by using Pulse Width Modulation to communicate with the Regulator, mounted internal to your Alternator. Your system uses 2 unidirectional communication lines between the PCM and Regulator, one is com line turns regulator on and off the second is battery voltage monitor. If any of these circuits are not complete the alt will not work right..
I would replace the 3 pin connector on top quite common and cheap start. If that fails I would be finding damaged wires from
YE/LG - PCM
LG/RD - PCM
YE/WH - 12V+
Hook a 3157 or any 12v bulb to YE/WH wire and make sure that is has 12v and can handle a load.
again i recommend you get pigtail connector to replace the orig pins might be worn out not making good contact or partially broken in the connector. You can order them through any ford dealership and might be able to find a aftermarket one.
|
|
| |
|
|
Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 21, 2011, 7:29 PM
Post #9 of 12
(10639 views)
|
|
Re: 2004 Ford Crown Vic Interceptor Electrical Problem
|
|
|
Gettin old Z! Those connectors on older ones were wicked common. Alt can get real hot right before one croaks and it would wreck them. Solder in and shrink wrap splice strongly suggested. Forget plain electrical tape only but ok over the whole splice,
T
|
|
| |
|
|
zmame
Veteran
/ Moderator
Mar 22, 2011, 4:42 AM
Post #10 of 12
(10626 views)
|
|
Re: 2004 Ford Crown Vic Interceptor Electrical Problem
|
|
|
Very true tom and the ford(motorcraft) one will come with heat shrink tubing too.
(This post was edited by zmame on Mar 22, 2011, 9:37 AM)
|
|
| |
|
|
Chipata
Novice
Oct 28, 2013, 7:11 AM
Post #11 of 12
(8056 views)
|
|
Re: 2004 Ford Crown Vic Interceptor Electrical Problem
|
|
|
Fan and lights started dimming as I was driving. Then as I was warming it up one day the battery just died while it was running. Replaced alternator (had old one bench tested - it's dead). Still has battery light on, and gauge is showing low voltage, even with new alternator. Checked ground and replaced part of the wire. Cleaned battery posts and connections. Had recently replaced ignition and starter as well. Can't figure out where the problem is. Any advice?[/reply
I am having similar issues with my 2004 police interceptor. I have changed the alternator and pigtail connector, belt tensioner, checked the fusible links, all fuses are okay, no loose connections on instrument panel, the belt is only about 3 weeks old, and put a new battery ground. The battery is about 8 months old and once charged it keeps charge and cranks the car without any hesitation. Despite all this, the car will not charge unless it is revved up like an old generator. Once it starts charging it puts out about 13.6-13.8v and then the battery light comes on! The battery light initially comes with ignition, goes out when the car is started and the alternator is NOT charging. What am I missing?
|
|
| |
|
|
Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 28, 2013, 7:13 AM
Post #12 of 12
(8054 views)
|
|
Re: 2004 Ford Crown Vic Interceptor Electrical Problem
|
|
|
Please read the FORUM RULES before posting. This thread is nearly 3 years old.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
|
|
| |
|
Auto Repair Home
SEARCH
WHO'S 
LOG 
2006 Toyoto Camry XLE Driver Side Electric Window Trouble
Tierod end change caused some kind of leak
Grounding Cable, 2017 Jeep Renegade Trailhawk
