You are here: Forums Vans & Minivans Ford Windstar Replaced battery x4, altentator x2 in 6 months - still with problems - HELP

Replaced battery x4, altentator x2 in 6 months - still with problems - HELP

2 messages,  Last post on Sep 11, 2009 at 8:31 PM

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#1 of 2 Replaced battery x4, altentator x2 in 6 months - still with problems - HELP by ibetiger Jun 06, 2009 (11:50 am)
Hi! I purchased a 2002 Winstar last fall with 86,000 miles on it. I was told after getting the transmission fixed (previous owners towed a trailer and burned out the overdrive gears) that the battery would need replacing as it was the original battery. We were about to drive van to FL so went ahead and got the new battery. 3 weeks later the battery light came on - battery was checked, wouldn't hold a charge & the alternator tested bad. Both replaced.   However, 4 weeks later the battery light came on again. Had things checked out and the alternator tested bad again. At that point couldn't replace it so the guy rebuit the dieode (SP?) in it and it tested at 13.2. We went with as a new one was not possible as there was a recall on the alternators for that van at that time.   Went until April on that one and van died in a busy interstection. Gas station nearby checked things - bad battery. So that was replaced again. Went 2 days and van was dying again - went back and that battery had a bad cell. So there 4th battery in 6 months. But then the alternator wouldn't even register on the tester. Took that back and it was rebuilt again until a new one could come in. The rebuilt one was worse testing only at 12.1.   New alternator came in tested on the bench at the store as 14.2 but on the van it will not register above 13.2 My van has now been sitting for 2 weeks trying to figure out what is going on! Dad checked the connecting wires from the altenator to the battery and those are fine - registering the same at the alternator and on the other end of the wire.   Since then the battery went dead - 2 days after my dad drove the van for a day to test things out. Alternator tested on bench in store again after that and was told it was bad. I was not told the number. Dad went to return it and ask that another be ordered from a different company and now the people there are refusing saying there must be a problem with the computer on the van causing this.   I saw a post about bad wires in doors. I do not have the electric auto shutting doors but I do have power locks. The passenger side door lock is not working properly - could an issue with that be contributing to this problem? Most of the time the lock will not lock/unlock when I hit the lock button on the door or remote. However, occationally it will work - like once out of every 15 times - give or take.   Anyone with simular issues or idea as to what else to look at? Dealership wants $89.95 just to do diagnostics!   Thanks!
#2 of 2 electrical system by ghostrider4 Sep 11, 2009 (8:31 pm)
your going to have to checking all wiring in the charge system theres a live short thats grounding out the batterys and alt some where DONT go to shop do it yourself shop will charge you $90 per hour till its fixed and it could be days let me know

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