Hey Gang,

Happy Excursion owner here but am looking for and assistance with my daily driver. I have attempted help from vehicle specific forums but zero help. FTE is the best and have always received ample help from the gang so here it is...

1998 Mercury Sable, daily driver, 142k 3.0L, The car has been great up until now. I drive 32 miles to work, all highway. Recently the car would kill power for a few seconds after turning on any HVAC systems. Power would come back and driving continued.

The last time this happened was just as I was pulling in to work, the power was on but the electric power steering assist was gone. Shut the car off and went into work. Came out and nothing.

I disconnected the battery thinking maybe this may "reset" the car. Connected the battery and turned the key, dash lights came on, turned the key to start and click, then dead. Returned the key to the off position, tried again and no dash lights, no radio, no clock,nothing. Jiggle the key in the tumbler a bit and the power came back but a bit week, tried to start and dead. no click this time.

I have replaced the transmission position sensor, the ignition module in the column and the ignition key and tumbler as well as checked all the grounds. No change..

Fire away gang and thanks in advance for the help...

 

I would get the battery load tested.
My 93 F-250 would run just fine, then it would act like it ran out of gas. I'd end up coasting to the side of the road, and have to restart it, then out of nowhere the thing would start running agian like nothing was wrong.
If I shut it off. I'd have to wait awhile before it would take a jump.
I had tested the battery and it showed somewhere around 12 volts. I also had the altinator tested. all was good.
I eventually took it somewhere and they load tested the battery and found it wasn't putting out enough amps.
I bought a new battery and it has been running good ever since.

 

Yes, battery would be a prime suspect. However take both battery terminals off and clean them and the battery posts. Peel back the insulation on the wires a little and look for any signs of corrosion/burning. Replace wire terminals on battery and tighten well.
Follow the main ground wire from the battery and make sure the other end is tightly bolted to the engine.
Maybe get alternator tested as well as the battery if all else has failed.

 

Thanks gentlemen, the symptoms seem so silly. I replaced the alt 1.5 years ago with a quality unit so I hope it is ok. I'll pull both the batt and alt to be tested and will also likely replace both Batt+ and Batt- cables..