Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums  

Just "chimeing" in, My 88 with the 3G has 5 bars, drops to 4 every time I turn the AC/fans on.  Never lower.

Running, the car should be charging somewhere between 13 and 14.4 volts.
For this reason the digital dash is awesome, if for nothing else. I was rounding an on-ramp in the red car last month and suddenly heard a beeeeep and noticed it switched to oil pressure. I immediately went into a panic mode, but at the same time noticed that the normal number of bars (3 or 4 I think?) were present. Toggled through elec/temp/oil again, no change. Pulled over anyway, shut 'er down. Not full but not real low either. Must have momentarily sloshed from the pickup. You always tell yourself you'll keep an eye on the gauges, but you almost never hear that unique beep, so when you do its an "attention-getter"! (say that in a Jackie Gleason southern voice )

You may want to make a couple of quick checks with your volt meter to confirm the alternator is probably bad.
The voltage checks will be on the alternator connectors. You can unplug them if that is easier for the probe type you have.
1. With the key off, check for battery voltage on the BK/O wires to the Alt B+ . Look for overheating damage to this connector.
2. With the key off, check for battery voltage on the Y/W wire to the regulator A terminal.
3. With the key in run (don't start) check for battery voltage on the LG/R (may be LG/Y) wire to the regulator I terminal.

You need all of the above voltages for the Alt work.

Since your car has an external voltage regulator so you might want to grab that and take it to get checked along with your alt.  Just because the alt is somewhat new does not mean its good to go.  We have all been down that road a couple of times.

If its the alt then hopefully its still under warranty and if it is the regulator then that is cheap enough.  I too would suggest going to the 3G alt but if you are 100% stock then I don't know if it is worth it.  I have waaay too much aftermarket electrical components on both of my cars so I made the swap to a 3G years ago.

Darren

You may want to make a couple of quick checks with your volt meter to confirm the alternator is probably bad.
The voltage checks will be on the alternator connectors. You can unplug them if that is easier for the probe type you have.
1. With the key off, check for battery voltage on the BK/O wires to the Alt B+ . Look for overheating damage to this connector.
2. With the key off, check for battery voltage on the Y/W wire to the regulator A terminal.
3. With the key in run (don't start) check for battery voltage on the LG/R (may be LG/Y) wire to the regulator I terminal.

You need all of the above voltages for the Alt work.

Replaced the fusible link:  13.8 volts at 1500 RPM

.. The link still gets hot. I started digging... Found this.

The yellow and black wires go back into the single 16 gauge fusible link that I replaced.  The green wire with red strip goes to the voltage regulator.
The connection sits right underneath the battery. The red wire dead heads into it with nothing going forward to the charging and light harness.....What the hell is that one for?








 
And yes, I know I gotta clean under there.  The repaint caused most of the grime.  I haven't head a chance to pull out the wiring to start this until now.