Ammeter light flickers, car stalls erratically...fun stuff.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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Ammeter light flickers, car stalls erratically...fun stuff.
For the past 9 months my 1996 4.0 liter Aerostar has been giving me grief from time to time. The main concern is that it idles very roughly or stalls erratically when I'm stopped in traffic or in reverse. It's not a vacuum problem since it isn't consistent enough. Besides, a mechanic already investigated that angle. I've read about similar things happening on the same car that were related to a malfunction in the instrument cluster that incorrectly shuts off fuel to the engine. Has anybody else had this experience?
The latest worry is that the ammeter light flickers erratically now, too. I'm not at all sure why, and am not really all that sure what that guage is for.
The biggest headache with these two conditions is that I can't duplicate them, so I can't show a mechanic without him being in the car with me at the exact time something happens.
Any ideas of suggestions?
The latest worry is that the ammeter light flickers erratically now, too. I'm not at all sure why, and am not really all that sure what that guage is for.
The biggest headache with these two conditions is that I can't duplicate them, so I can't show a mechanic without him being in the car with me at the exact time something happens.
Any ideas of suggestions?
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 435
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From: Corpus Christi, Tx. 78418
On the rough idle and stalling I'd first clean the throttle body, then check the plugs and plug wires before I started looking at a fuel problem, especially since the problem is not constant.
The amp meter light is indicating when the battery is discharging and this would happen at very low rpm such as when the engine is idling roughly or stalling. If it is occurring at normal driving speed, then you may have a problem with the voltage regulator or diode pack in the alternator. Check to be sure that the alternator's output is correct by checking voltage at the battery. It should be 13-14 volts at idle.
BTW, if the alternator voltage regulator or diode pack is going out it may cause you to loose electrical power at times and cause similar symptoms to those you indicate.
Ron
The amp meter light is indicating when the battery is discharging and this would happen at very low rpm such as when the engine is idling roughly or stalling. If it is occurring at normal driving speed, then you may have a problem with the voltage regulator or diode pack in the alternator. Check to be sure that the alternator's output is correct by checking voltage at the battery. It should be 13-14 volts at idle.
BTW, if the alternator voltage regulator or diode pack is going out it may cause you to loose electrical power at times and cause similar symptoms to those you indicate.
Ron
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
> The latest worry is that the ammeter light flickers
> erratically now, too
Another problem could be a loose battery terminal or more likely one that is cracked and not clamping properly because it was over tighten. Also, I would check for bad cable connections where the major of the strands are broken inside the connector. Sometimes hard to tell on OEM cables where the ends are sealed.
BTW: I agree with everything rlmdad posted.
> erratically now, too
Another problem could be a loose battery terminal or more likely one that is cracked and not clamping properly because it was over tighten. Also, I would check for bad cable connections where the major of the strands are broken inside the connector. Sometimes hard to tell on OEM cables where the ends are sealed.
BTW: I agree with everything rlmdad posted.
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