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KeriVit · Nov 6, 2005, 12:09 PM

I have a 1997 Ford F-150... It has had recurring electrical problems and been fixed many times over the years. Basically- it just slowly shuts down- lights stop working, radio, etc. the ker-plunk... the whole thing won't start.

I had the alternator replaced (for the 3rd time) in July, but 2 weeks ago, it died again.

The mechanic is giving up and asked me to try the dealership. It'll start but it will only run off the battery.

That's all fine and good. But, I just want to sell or trade it in!

I can't keep throwing money at the piece of crap. It's only got 84K miles and when it runs, it's great. But, I don't know what to do with it anymore...

Anyone had such a problem?

ajprice · Nov 6, 2005, 12:22 PM

A Fish Tank!

Have an aquarium in the cabin and a pool in the flatbed, well it beats making one out of an iMac!

Or sell it to a mechanics student and tell him its his project to fix the thing.

Spliffdaddy · Nov 6, 2005, 12:25 PM

Change the alternator to a GM "1-wire" internal regulator type. There are plenty of kits available for under $100. Look for them at stores that cater to the street rod enthusiast.

Don't scrap a perfectly good truck.

rozwado1 · Nov 6, 2005, 12:37 PM

Find out which assembly line made it, drive it to Michigan and yell at them for sucking at life.

effgee · Nov 6, 2005, 12:38 PM

Drive it in your backyard, park it in a picturesque spot and drain all fluids - it'll make a great henhouse.
</foxworthy>

And on a more serious note, I'd suggest checking out one of the many Ford (truck) forums - one of the guys there will most likely be able to help you out. I doubt you have that much time on your hands but if another week doesn't make a difference, I'll be happy to ask a buddy of mine (the sucker's on vacation at the moment) - he has an F150 for work and fixes everything on the damn thing.

OreoCookie · Nov 6, 2005, 02:37 PM

I personally have the attitude to stop bothering when things like this happen. Same with my old iBook: four keys of my keyboard died (unfortunately delete, space, tab and one not so important one) (has been replaced once already), two harddrives, the trackpad is dead, so I decided not to bother with it anymore.

Just try to sell it, be honest that it has problems and that you suspect (but can't promise) that someone else could fix it for very little. Get another one.

stevesnj · Nov 6, 2005, 03:16 PM

Donate it to your loacal Vocational High School. This would be a tax writeoff at the blubook value of the vehicle and the students get to work on it for a whole year for learning. My school always wants donated vehicles for teaching purposes.

KeriVit · Nov 6, 2005, 05:23 PM

Some good thoughts... it just upsets me because I have been planning to trade this for a Mazda 3 and get much better mileage, but because I am moving, I held on to it for transporting to storage... if I only I had just sold it 2 mos. ago...

olePigeon · Nov 6, 2005, 08:44 PM

Fix Often Replace Daily.

bstone · Nov 6, 2005, 09:02 PM

Found On Road Dead

I am a proud owner of a '93 Ford Explorer XLT. 3rd tranny, 2nd engine, new starter, alternator, transfer motor, brake lines, etc etc

I live in the thing. Seriously, I do. Been sleeping in it for 8 weeks now.

Scifience · Nov 6, 2005, 09:15 PM

Fix Or Repair Daily

Certainly a true statement for the only Ford my family has ever owned....it was in the shop at least once a month.

bembol · Nov 6, 2005, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

Anyone had such a problem?

I went through something like this with my '02 Acura RSX...it wasn't production, I had a system installed and left the moonroof open and rain that day.

What did you replace the alternator with? OEM or Aftermarket/Rebuilt?

Did you check ALL the FUSE, replace Ground/Wiring, did a separate test with the Battery and AVR Test in COLD/HOT (this was the problem with my ride, shop/dealers only this cold test...which passed but it kept shutting down on me).

My cousin was the one, who figured out my problem...he just followed the Helms Manual Test and done. I'm writing a complaint to Honda Canada about the dealers incompitance (sp?) I spent close to $500 on test...!!!

Good luck...!!!

KeriVit · Nov 6, 2005, 10:18 PM

Will talk to my mechanic on Monday. Thanks for helping me ask the right questions.

I've heard all the jokes about Ford. I'm cool with that. But I really think this is just a lemon. I mean really, they sell far too many vehicles for them all to be bad. That being said, i still won't buy another. Wait... isn't Mazda/Ford the same? Aw sheet.

KeriVit · Nov 6, 2005, 10:25 PM

Dubble-Bubble. This sux.

Railroader · Nov 6, 2005, 10:45 PM

I've owned a couple Ford vehicles and never had an electrical problem. Sounds like a fluke problem. It is certainly not indicative of Ford's F-150 history. They are some very relible trucks.

Has it been connected on any modern diagnostic equipement or just a "won't charge, let's replace the alt/gen."?

wvx · 08:18 AM

Sounds like a short somewhere or a bad battery (which can both ruin alternators) or it could be something else in the electrical system like a bad ground.

A trouble code reader (like the ones they do for free at AutoZone) won't do any good, won't find the problem. The dealer will probably be completely useless while charging you $400 just to look at it and then tell you they can't figure it out.

Do a google search with your symptoms... you might be surprised to find out others have had the exact same problem and it's an easy fix...

That being said don't give up on her... F150s rock! I also really dig Mazda3s... especially the 5 door model. I believe Ford owns majority stake in Mazda and they have shared manufacturing and development for quite a long time. Even the new Fusion shares a lot of tech with the Mazda6 AFAIK.

Does it have the original battery?

Paco500 · Nov 7, 2005, 08:17 AM

Originally Posted by rozwado1

Find out which assembly line made it, drive it to Michigan and yell at them for sucking at life.

I think they make most if not all F-150's in Virginia. At least I think they used to.

KeriVit · Nov 7, 2005, 08:50 AM

He has since tried 3 different alternators, checked every fuse, changed the battery, etc. Something in the truck actually blew out the first alternator... It may sound silly, but part of me thought it was my 12 volt phone charger in the lighter.

Regardless, 2 alternators later and it still won't go. I feel the same about sending it to the dealer...

I'm not sure how modern this guy's diagnostic equipment is...

Diagnosis over the years,

Bad Alternator
Bad solenoid
Bad Alternator
Short in the battery
I dunno
OOps
Huh?

wvx · Nov 7, 2005, 09:18 AM

My brother suggests... obviously if you have replaced the battery that probably isn't the problem but anyway here is some other info too...

"He should first check the battery and cables.
If the battery is more than 5 years old, just replace it.
A very simple test can determine the alternator output, if the battery is bad it will ruin the alternator.
There is a voltage regulator built into the alternator, this is generally replaced when a new alternator is installed.
Sometimes the battery cables can corrode within their sheaths and create a bad or inconsistent connection.
On some models the PCM has input to the charging system, this is the worst case sinario as it is more costly and can only be diagnosed be replacing it."

tooki · Nov 7, 2005, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by stevesnj

Donate it to your loacal Vocational High School. This would be a tax writeoff at the blubook value of the vehicle and the students get to work on it for a whole year for learning. My school always wants donated vehicles for teaching purposes.

My understanding is that this is no longer the case -- I heard that you now only get to write off the scrap value, not the blue book.

tooki

KeriVit · Nov 7, 2005, 09:41 AM

The battery has been replaced. Currently, it will run off the battery but the alternator will not kick in. I am in the process of having it towed to a dealer for a check- $80 investment. I have in the past been told that it was the battery's fault. But this being a recurring problem, I have had to many people tell me something different....

sknapp351 · Nov 7, 2005, 05:54 PM

For some time Ford had released a tech service bulliten about an issue that concerned the alternators in those years. The large pigtail connection that plugs sideways in the back of the alternator was known for developing minute cracks internally every time it was unplugged. These could lead to a voltage backup, and potentially fire.
These replacement connectors tend to come with refurbished alternators, and I would assume your mechanic would know enough to put it on, but I used to be a manager at a retail auto part store and many people would put the new part on then bring me back the old one with the connector in the box.

SAm

KeriVit · Nov 14, 2005, 02:25 PM

Well, here it is a week later- new mechanic- still no truck. They insisted on yet another alternator- (now #4 in a month). But I have just received word that they ordered a fuse panel. Not sure why, nor what this is going to cost me...

bembol · Nov 15, 2005, 02:41 AM

I would never go through a number of that component...4 alternators? What type of mechanic do you have that he would keep replacing it, please tell me he atleast REPLACED it with OEM. It's stupid...!!! The points I made above, what did the mechanic say?

Google the Helms Manual for your ride...I have one for my RSX/it's free.

DIY

Railroader · Nov 15, 2005, 06:44 AM

Originally Posted by KeriVit

Well, here it is a week later- new mechanic- still no truck. They insisted on yet another alternator- (now #4 in a month). But I have just received word that they ordered a fuse panel. Not sure why, nor what this is going to cost me...

It's possible there's a short in the fuse panel and you do actually need another new alternator. However, a good automotive electrician should be able to fix a fuse panel instead of just ordering a new one.

KeriVit · Nov 15, 2005, 07:32 AM

Yes- what is happening is something is shorting out these alternators- no I don't have to pay for them- it's their problem. 3 were recons- one was from the factory.

Got the service record- whatever this electrical problem is has cost me 3 starters, 2 batteries, a solenoid, and a pigtail in the last 3 years.

I can't do it myself! No way.