charging system question on 1999 Lincoln Continental

I need some electrical charging system advice> My 1999 Lincoln seem to have a faulty or limited charging system. I just changed batteries and traded for a higher quality that the one I replaced. It seems that the battery is not receiving a full charge and the battery -after only three weeks- shows low charge or need service when checked. The old battery had the same problem and left me several times stranded with no starting power. the day I changed batteries it started almost as soon as the key was turned, now it takes a couple of turns and when I took it to Jiffy Lube for service the battery was low.



there is no charge fault light that comes on the instrument panel, however I do understand that something is not quite right. Can use some guidance in troubleshooting and avoid doing a dozen expensive things by trial and error.

 

Response:

1) Ring out the voltage at the battery when the engine is idling. Should be between 14.2-14.4 volts. If low, check the belt(s) or alternator.





2) Also, if a serpentine belt, check the idler to see if the shaft is not bent, and the pulley runs freely.





3) you can take the alternator in to auto zone and get it tested free. Its usually the alternator when a car doesn't charge enough.

 

4) Yes 9 out of ten times is the alternator that has a bad diode and all of your energy leaks out, you can test by placing a screw driver on the back of the alternator while the car is not running and no key on the ignition if the screw diver is attracted to the alternator due to magnetism then you know to replace the alternator.

2001 Chrysler Intrepid battery light on

I went to a mechanic a month ago and replace the alternator because my battery light came on.  After about one month, the battery light came on again.  I went to the same mechanic and he said that the oxygen senor is faulty.  If I unplugged one oxygen sensor and I did not fix that one oxygen sensor. Will the car still run and won’t shut down?  What are the problems that the car might cause?



Response:



the battery light coming on has nothing to do with an oxygen sensor. I would suggest going to a different shop and having it retested.

An Oxygen sensor has nothing to do with the battery light. If you unplug an oxygen sensor it will still run but have bad gas mileage and the check engine light will come on.

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Alternator Repair and Testing

Alternator Repair

Basically this means that an alternator is what charges the car's battery and also provides power to operate the engines computer, lights, radio, etc. So, if the alternator quits functioning then all of these electrical devices will try to run off the car's battery. The problem with that is, once the battery starts to loose power ( since it is no longer being recharged ) the will start to function poorly and will eventually stop running altogether. Generally when the alternator starts to fail a Battery light will illuminate on the dash board. This means the battery is no longer being charged , this does not mean the battery has a problem. Read Entire Article