1987 ford taurus starting system?
can it still be feesible to check the alternator output by pulling the pos cable from the battery and should the car keep running? new battery and alternator but car dies when i pull cable. other charging problems i am not aware of?
Tagged with: alternator output
Filed under: Ford Taurus 1986-1991
Look like alternator is not charging. The new alternator may be defected (least likely).
I think you have fuse problem. Your 1987 Taurus has two fusible links between Alternator and Battery. They are 20 GA(blue) and 14 GA (green). These two fusible links are located at front of left front shock tower and the wire connected to starter relay/solenoid mounted on the fender. Check for open fuse or disconnected wire.
If fusible links and wire checked OK, with key off, engine off, use volt meter, you should have battery voltage reading at terminal B of alternator and terminal A of voltage regulator at the back of alternator.
If fusible link is bad, check for short circuit before replacing it with a same gage link available at local part store. Crimping and seal the circuit with shrinkable butt connectors and shrink tube with sealant to prevent corrosion.
Poor ground can also cause charging problem but it may be the least likely problem here because you don't have starting problem.
Please take all precautions safety before working on this problem (wear safety glass, glove, no smoking around battery, ….)
FYI: Do not disconnect battery terminal while engine is running, A high voltage surge from alternator can kill a lot of electronic components in your car.
best thing would be to go to o Riley's or auto zone , they will check it for you free but on that model you should be able to remove the cable and if i dies then the alternator is bad , it is possible to bye a bad one
Start checking grounds… are your belts too tight? I heard of this one other time.. where the water pump was on its way out and was seizing up and would stop the belt. Also check the ground on the alternator.. if its not making a good connection.. then this may be an issue.