1998 Mercury Mystique alternator

1998 MERCURY MYSTIQUE
142,000 MILES • 2.5L • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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RTP771
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I had a the alternator go out and I replaced it out. I installed a new one from the parts store. The system is still not charging, I rechecked all the connections, they look good. Is there something else I can check or is it possible the replacement in bad and I need to change it out?
Jan 13, 2014 at 1:40 PM
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OBXAUTOMEDIC
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Hello,

Yes it is possible you got a defective Alternator it doesn't happen often but it does happen. Anyway, did you check for charging at your battery or is your gauge not showing it charging? If your gauge isn't showing it charging then check out the link below to check for charging at battery. If still not charging would take it back off and have the parts store bench test it if they can, you may want to call them first though.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator
Jan 13, 2014 at 2:08 PM
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RTP771
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I checked all the connections and seem good. I pulled the new alternator back off and took it back to the parts store. They ran it through their tester and it tested good. They repeated the test and it still test good. I reinstalled it on the car. I put a volt meter on the battery and read 11.56 volts. I started the engine and retested the battery with the volt meter and still read 11.5 volts. According to the manual I have, I should read around 14.5 volts at the battery with the engine running and the alternator working. I am at a loss. What else can be going wrong?
Jan 14, 2014 at 12:51 PM
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OBXAUTOMEDIC
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Ok, in the Battery Junction Box(Engine Compartment) check fuse #5 it is a 15amp fuse.
Jan 15, 2014 at 2:10 PM
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RTP771
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I checked fuse #5 under the hood, it reads voltage on both sides. I also checked fuse #30 under the dash, it also reads good. I also checked the mega fuse by reading the voltage at the alternator end of the battery cable and read good voltage. Is there anything I can check?
Jan 22, 2014 at 10:49 AM
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OBXAUTOMEDIC
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Hey Sorry for delay on the sick side... Anyway check out the pic attached....
Jan 25, 2014 at 7:15 AM
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RTP771
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Thanks for all your help. Every test led me back to a bad alternator even though the alternator past all the bench tests at the auto parts store. The store finally switched it out for another one and solved the problem.
Mar 4, 2014 at 4:37 AM
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OBXAUTOMEDIC
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Great Job...

I believe at the bottom next to the reply button is a user satisfied button, if you are happy with the assistance you received and satisfied please click that button it will close out this posting

Thank You

Mark
Mar 6, 2014 at 5:21 AM