2000 Mercury Cougar Surging power

2000 MERCURY COUGAR
78,000 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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MIKEYG1401
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  • 1 POST
My battery light flickers and the interior lights flash. I originally had a bad alternator as the battery would not take a charge. I replace the alternator and the car drives,but the voltage will surge from 15-16 volts when the idle is increased. I took the car to the dealer and they explained I had a bad alternator. When I returned the Motorcraft alternator back to th supply house they bench tested and said there was nothing wrong but would exchange it. I installed the second one and am still having the same problem. What could be causing this surge?
Jul 24, 2008 at 7:49 AM
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BLUELIGHTNIN6
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  • 16,542 POSTS
This is a common issue with the 2000 cougar. There is a TSB (technical service bulletin) that your Ford dealer should know about. The spot of high resistance in the wiring from the alternator to the battery needs to be cut out and the wiring harness re-wired. The Ford dealer can print out the instructions of the TSB so you can have a mechanic of your choice fix this. This will fix the flickering and dimming of lights.
Oct 26, 2008 at 1:09 AM