Help! 96 cobra mustang eating alternators

[andre96]

Help! My 96 cobra mustang (82000 miles) is eating alternators...I'm on my 3rd on this year, 2nd in one month...no mods to engine, new battery, new plug wires...the plastic regulator is also melting...if I can't get this sorted out I'm going to have to go back to Jap cars...:(

Andre96

[Firme]

Help! My 96 cobra mustang (82000 miles) is eating alternators...I'm on my 3rd on this year, 2nd in one month...no mods to engine, new battery, new plug wires...the plastic regulator is also melting...if I can't get this sorted out I'm going to have to go back to Jap cars...:(

Andre96

it sounds like either a short or a bad battery. Have you replaced your battery wires also?

[andre96]

Battery is new (1 month), wires are a possibility...the car is at Goodyear for diagnostics...is there anything you'd recommend I discuss with them? Thanks for any help.

[Firme]

Battery is new (1 month), wires are a possibility...the car is at Goodyear for diagnostics...is there anything you'd recommend I discuss with them? Thanks for any help.


well, the regulator melting would indicate a short or degradation in the main power cables on the battery. I would have them look for corroded wires or a short in you main battery wiring.

[andre96]

Ok, wires are a good place to start...if you think of anything else, please let me know via this forum...

thanks
andre96

[Firme]

Ok, wires are a good place to start...if you think of anything else, please let me know via this forum...

thanks
andre96

no problem, good luck man, wouldn't want you getting rid a perfectly good car for a japanese car :typer:
:jk:

[SVTcobra04]

Im shore ull get it fixed sooner or later.......Great car you have dont get rid of it and go to the dark side(:typer: ):D

[andre96]

Thanks guys, turns out there is a TSB that reads "if the battery is weak, the alternator will continue to attempt charging the battery causing the alternator to fail"...so another new battery, a new alternator (covered under warranty), a new serpentine belt and assurance that all wires were sound, got me back on the road...kudos to the Goodyear guys in Clearwater for a great job and getting me back into my Cobra and keeping me "with the force":)

[SVTcobra04]

glad to hear you got it fixed.

[Firme]

:thumbsup: good to hear thing are squared away. You would be surprised how many batteries cause failures prematurely

one thing I have noticed in my vehicles, is after a battery is used till it completely dies, the alternator dies within a year after replacement of the battery. I alway figured it becuase its life was diminished by the strain of a battery going dead.

[Butcher]

:thumbsup: good to hear thing are squared away. You would be surprised how many batteries cause failures prematurely

one thing I have noticed in my vehicles, is after a battery is used till it completely dies, the alternator dies within a year after replacement of the battery. I alway figured it becuase its life was diminished by the strain of a battery going dead.
Go ahead and change the cables and regulator. Easy cheap upgrade, wont leave you on the roadside. :)

Jimmie

[jack]

Sorry to get on a old post but ford has allways had a problem with there plugs for electric stuff(alt, blower motor , headlight switch). I would make sure the plugs are clean and making good contact. They also make a grease to put on the plugs.

[andre96]

Blew the doors off a Mercedes 600 SL...I guess 150,000 doesn't buy everything.

[jack]

My mother has a 500SEL and it runs good for a luxury car. But for speed you cant beat a cobra.