Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Electrical Tech => Topic started by: tbirdmanjwg on January 12, 2005, 12:41:27 AM

Title: weird electrical problem
Post by: tbirdmanjwg on January 12, 2005, 12:41:27 AM
tonight I came across a new problem! I went out to start my car after work and shure anough, it wouldn't start. And on top of that, after I had someone jump my battery, I turned on my lights and the engine died and the car lost any juice at all, as well as before that the speedometer jumping around and increasing with the engine rpms! My car was runing and acting just fine before this, well besides my headlight problem were my lights will just randomly turn off and then turn back on.
Title: Re: weird electrical problem
Post by: jcassity on January 20, 2005, 05:00:56 PM
why dont you change the ignition switch just for the heck of it.  you got a lot of problems riding on different circuits so im only trying to think of a common path here and the igntion switch might help.
Title: Re: weird electrical problem
Post by: Thunder Chicken on January 20, 2005, 06:46:27 PM
If the engine dies when you turn on the headlights after getting a boost, chances are that your battery is really, REALLY dead (if you live in a cold climate it may even be frozen, and judging by your "location" in your info, you do.) and your alternator isn't putting out enough juice to keep system voltage high enough to run the car. Remember, your car has a computer, fuel pump, injectors, misc sensors, etc to operate, and if they don't have enough power to run the car will stall.

A bad alt may have caused your battery to die, or a bad battery may have killed the alt. Either way, check your charging system. And for the love of God, check to see if the battery is frozen before boosting it again! Charging or boosting a frozen battery is extremely dangerous!
Title: Re: weird electrical problem
Post by: merccougar50 on January 20, 2005, 08:13:05 PM
If you fast charge or boost a frozen battery IT GOES BANG.  Trust me, its not pretty, what with the spraying acid, and loud noise. 

On the subject of exploding batteries, I had one go on me last week.  This was on a forklift, where the battery is under the drivers seat.  I was so startled that I jumped up and hit the rollage pretty good with my head.  Cleaning up the acid from all over the engine compartment was fun!
Title: Re: weird electrical problem
Post by: tbirdmanjwg on January 31, 2005, 09:50:29 PM
fixed all my problems! all I had to do is buy a new altenator, positive battery cable, lightswitch and clean all the connections on the left side of the ignition switch.. :grinno:
Title: Re: weird electrical problem
Post by: cougarman on February 01, 2005, 07:58:48 AM
I would still replace the ignition switch, they have been known to start fires. Only about $12 at Autozone, cheap insurance. :)
Title: Electrical problems
Post by: blwllva on January 17, 2006, 03:26:06 PM
1994 Cougar 3.8 v6

Break lights do not work (changed switch on pedal still do not work.

Floor shift stuck in park (used manul overide procedure from owners manual)

When I remove the run fuse 5 amp floor shift works
I need this fuse for cluster


all fuses are good.

all bulbs are new

Power seats, door locks do not work

Where are the relay's located