Draining the battery

Asked by rt_9933 Sep 13, 2015 at 10:27 PM about the 1999 Mercury Sable LS Sedan FWD

Question type: General

I have a '99 Mercury Sable, the other night I was changing out the battery
with a new one and when I did the posts were switched. It only touched for a
second, but that's all it took to fry something. My buddy is mechanic and he's
is stumped after looking at all the usual suspects. The alternator is not
engaging and not  sustaining the car. Can't drive 20 mins without battery
dying and car shutting down????????????

1 Answer
64,550

firebird338 answered 8 years ago

It is either one of two problems check alternator fuse and main fuses or the alternator was shortened out. Check power going to alternator with test light vehicle does not have to be running. If test light lights up most likely the alternator was shortened out if it does not light up more then likely the alternator fuse. Also when vehicle is running test alternator voltage out put should be charging at 14 volts.

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