[burako]

Hello, I hope someone can help with this. Sorry it's a little long.

I have a 2008 Mustang GT which was bought new in April 2008. It currently has 23,000 KM on it. It's still under warranty. It is stock. It has the Shaker 500. I have a problem with the electrical system in my car. Around 6 months ago, the electrical system started going crazy, the lights flickering and the warning lights in the dash were on and the voltmeter showing empty. (ABS, Check Engine, Battery Lights and Charging System error), and CD Player going crazy and resetting the clock to 12:00AM. Also there was hesitation during accelaration and it felt like there was no power. As I have had previous experience with battery dying so quickly, I changed the battery, but could not find the original 55 Amp battery, so bought a Delco battery of 58 amps and next day went to the Ford Dealer in Jeddah. I told them to check the alternator. They checked the car and said that the electrical system was normal including the alternator. For the power and hesitation problem they changed the fuel pump and told me that the fuel tank was dirty and that they had cleaned it. The power was back but sometimes I would notice that the idle will become very high around 1200-1500 RPM at traffic lights while the brake is pressed and the car stopped, especially at night with all the lights on, AC on, the stereo on, when this is happening the interior lights were flickering and the voltmeter going towards empty.

Today, while shopping, the same symptoms started again. The idle going very high while stopped at traffic lights, the battery light came on in the dash, then the Check Charging System error appeared with the red battery light on (picture attached), then the other gauges flashing and ABS, check engine and tcs lighs, flashing intermittently. First, it felt weak while starting the car. I stopped at a gas station and the car stalled. I couldn't start it again. They gave me jumpstart and I managed to get home where the car died. I called the roadside assist and they said they will come tomorrow morning to pick it up. I took a picture of the gauges for your reference.

I am not very confident with the services of Ford Dealer in Jeddah since they could not diagnose and fix the problem the first time it happened, so this time I hope that they could find out what is wrong and get something done to fix this problem since I really love this car and I don't want to sell it. If anyone in Saudi or US has had this type of problem, please help me.

[stlwagon]

I would still suspect the alternator might be your problem.

[Muckerpuck]

+2 sounds exacly like a failing alternator.

But lose engine and alternator power/gounds can cause problems. Also if the terminals on your battery arnt connected properly.

[burako]

Weird thing happened, this morning the road assist came to pick up the car. He tried to start it, then gave me a jump. The car started just fine after that, there were no warnings, and I was able to drive it to the Ford dealer with no check Charging System warning. While driving to the dealer, no warnings reappeared. When they checked at the dealer, they said nothing is wrong and they were able to restart it without jumper. Luckily I had taken a picture yesterday, and I had some proof.

I think the car is cursed, almost like its mocking me, whenever it goes to the dealer it behaves. Anyway, they said they will keep it for a week to test it under load. I'll keep you posted on what happened. Thanks for all your help.

[MaverickMLFD371]

sounds like the alternator!

[burako]

It was the alternator, they changed it along with the battery under warranty. They told me that it wasn't charging the battery under a heavy load. I picked it up today, and it feels great! Thanks for all your help!