So I believe the alternator bit the dust on the Hot Rod Lincoln today (08 MKZ with 3.5). Try to turn it over, nothing but clicks. I got a jump, it was a hard turn over, but started...got it home. Tries turning it over again, nothing but clicks. I have all accessories still, but the horn wouldn't even honk when I double clicked the key fob. The battery was a new Motorcraft 650cca about 6 months ago...so at this point I'm assuming its good. Anything I should test or look at before I jump in to an alternator to the tune of $300-350???

And how the hell do get it out??? It's super tight in there. I can see it, but there's no real room from the top, bottom or side.

Pull the cab, duh.

Seriously, Ben. It sounds more like a battery, new or not. It just sounds like a battery that can't hold a charge. How many miles do you have on the Lincoln now?

Ryan

Just rolled 90k. I suppose I could throw in a spare battery and see what happens.

If it is an alternator...just looked on Ford part...and the illustration looks like a nut on a stud and a bolt...so it should be easy enough to slide out.

Well, I would say if you can get it running, put a volt meter on the alternator and see how much voltage your getting to the battery.

UTfball68 said:

So I believe the alternator bit the dust on the Hot Rod Lincoln today (08 MKZ with 3.5). Try to turn it over, nothing but clicks. I got a jump, it was a hard turn over, but started...got it home. Tries turning it over again, nothing but clicks. I have all accessories still, but the horn wouldn't even honk when I double clicked the key fob. The battery was a new Motorcraft 650cca about 6 months ago...so at this point I'm assuming its good. Anything I should test or look at before I jump in to an alternator to the tune of $300-350???

And how the hell do get it out??? It's super tight in there. I can see it, but there's no real room from the top, bottom or side.

Click to expand...

Take it to Vince.

89frankenford said:

Well, I would say if you can get it running, put a volt meter on the alternator and see how much voltage your getting to the battery.

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^^Agreed. On another note - Holy Crap! Look who showed up again! Welcome back Travis.

You have to do a little wiggling but it comes out

My Town car acted the same way, fought battery trouble for years. Went so far as to plug a solar board in the power point

Turns out it was the trunk pull down was bad

from the workshop manual

Removal and Installation

NOTE: The radial arm adapter is a serviceable item. Do not replace the generator if the radial arm adapter is the only concern.

Remove the A/C compressor. For additional information, refer to Section 412-01.
Disconnect the battery. For additional information, refer to Section 414-01.
Position the generator protective cover aside, remove the nut and position the generator B+ terminal aside.
To install, tighten to 12 Nm (106 lb-in).
Disconnect the generator electrical connector.
Detach the pin-type retainer and wiring harness.
Remove the oil filter.
Lubricate the oil filter seal with clean engine oil before installation.
Position the engine wiring harness aside.
Remove the generator stud nut.
To install, tighten to 47 Nm (35 lb-ft).
Remove the generator bolt and the generator.
To install, reverse the removal procedure.

Thanks Vince.

Shortly after my original post I jumped the car...it started again. I had some running around to do, so it's just been running for the last 3 hours or so...no issues at all. I figured I'd swing in to a box store for a test. They say the battery is good but they got a 'bad diode code' from the alt and it's only putting out 30 amps...it's a 150amp alt. I'll throw a volt meter on it tomorrow just for peace of mind.

fatherdoug said:

Take it to Vince.




^^Agreed. On another note - Holy Crap! Look who showed up again! Welcome back Travis.

Click to expand...

Thanks! lol. I figured i should stop by, offer my advice/knowledge and say hi

Put a damn multimeter on it. You should know that. Less than 13 volts = not charging

And if autozone says its got a bad diode when they load test it, they're probably right. Those things are usually accurate.

I know I know...I just wasn't going to fool with it last night and was really hoping someone would pop in and save the day 'oh this $5 part is your problem'.

If it wasn't for wishful thinking, it'd be a boring world Ben...


Smokin' Tires with my 5.0 on Tapatalk

Diodes usually cost less than 5 bucks...

If you wanna tear into the damned alternator. You won't even miss the $350 Ben. You know that

flareside_thunder said:

Diodes usually cost less than 5 bucks...

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Well played...

SuperCab said:

If you wanna tear into the damned alternator. You won't even miss the $350 Ben. You know that

Click to expand...

And my purse strings are still crying even thinking about it.

Ha ha, Ben has a purse.

Ryan

O'Rattlecan said:

Ha ha, Ben has a purse.

Ryan

Click to expand...

It's a European shoulder bag!

No it's a purse...


Smokin' Tires with my 5.0 on Tapatalk

The Internet said it was stylish. The pink flowers and purple polka dots really make my spring pastels pop.