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Ford 2001 - A Strange Issue indeed
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Candle-in-the-Wind
New User
Dec 10, 2009, 4:17 AM
Post #1 of 4
(2033 views)
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Ford 2001 - A Strange Issue indeed
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Apologies in advance if a similar issue has alrdy been addressed/solved in this forum's prior posts.
I am lately facing a strange issue in my 2001 ford sedan. It sounds an "electrical" issue at the first, but I doubt so.
Here is the overview...
1) Car is started and runs smooth for a couple of miles.
2) All of a sudden, it goes into what I call , a "seizure" mode, ranging from a few secs to a couple of mins.
3) When the seizure happens,
(a) Loss of Engine power
(b) A/C is disabled(only fan runs)
(c) Headlights' intensity is doubled,
(d) Wipers run at twice their speed
(e) Gearshift(Manual) is very hard
(f) Indicators blink at a higher rate
(g) Car Horn's volume is also increased and has more of a "shrill" tone to it
(h) Increase of heat in the cabin(like a blower)
(i) Power Windows work like they are in a hurry to stop incoming bullets ;-)
4) After a few secs/2-3 mins, the problem disappears.
5) Car is back to normal. Problem reappears at random intervals for a short duration.
Some Observations
1. Happens more off a cold start.
2. Battery charging has been checked and found to be normal - Looks like alternator is doing its job of charging.
3. Seizures can also happen sometimes(but not always) over an incline.
4. The PowerTrain Control Module(PCM/ECM) swapping/replacing does not seem to correct the issue.
5. Squeaking noise during cold start(drive belt maybe)
6. None of the lights(battery/engine...) are activated during the seizure - so cant check the codes off the PCM.
7. Brakes do not loose their power-assist(from Engine)
My Suspicions
Serpentine Drive Belt( V-Belt ), which looks slightly worn may also be slipping now and then, causing the alternator to cause the electrical part of the siezure( headlughts, wipers .... ). A/C compressor could also be affected by the temp slippage of the belt(explains A/C loss). Water pump may also temporarily stop(hence the increase of heat in the cabin)
However, what I cannot understand is why there should be Engine power loss(like one cylinder less) and hard gear-shift ?
Thanks in advance to your replies.
Josh
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steve01832
Veteran
Dec 10, 2009, 4:22 AM
Post #2 of 4
(2027 views)
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Re: Ford 2001 - A Strange Issue indeed
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You may want to get the charging system checked. Sounds like an overcharging symptom. The reason for the driveability problems is if this is the case, the increased voltage is spiking the powertrain control module. It is designed to operate in the 12-15 volt range. Out of range voltages can wreak havoc on computers.
Steve
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Candle-in-the-Wind
New User
Dec 11, 2009, 4:17 AM
Post #3 of 4
(2007 views)
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Re: Ford 2001 - A Strange Issue indeed
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Thanks for your quick input Steve.
By Charging System, I guess u mean the Battery + Alternator ? Hmmm... Had the Battery's voltage tested -> 14.2V with Engine running. Seems alternator is charging the battery pretty OK. The electrical 'specialist' at the local garage did a couple of tests(details of which I dont know - sorry) and pretty much declared that the alternator too was OK.
I specifically asked him about the voltage regulator over the phone, and he mumbled some tech jargon I could not understand.
Is there any specific standard test that I should insist on being done to rule out the regulator issue ?
Thanks again.
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
Dec 11, 2009, 9:40 PM
Post #4 of 4
(1993 views)
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Re: Ford 2001 - A Strange Issue indeed
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Actually all those tests need to be run while the problem is occuring. If it is a overcharging problem (and I agree with Steve, it really does sound like that) and the testing is done while the car is running normal then the results are going to show normal.........
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