95RogueM3

My DD 1997 Ford Contour has been acting kinda funny the past few days (battery light lightly flashing intermitently) and then after getting to work this morning when I tried to re-start it the car clicked...but definitely no starting.

Then after work (9 hours later) I had a buddy jump the car and everything was working fine. I get 4 miles down the road and the Tachometer is jumping from zero to the correct reading and I can see the battery light flashing very dimly every so often. Then the car gets sluggish and dies. I call the GF and we try to jump it, but this time with zero luck at all.

I am going to call AAA in the morning, but I am looking for a good shop in the West End that isn't going to cost a ton to fix the alternator (what I think is the issue) or whatever is wrong.

Is there a good shop on Broad or somewhere in the West end that you all have had luck with fixing your car without charging alot?

Thanks..

Computer_Nerd

Bad ground, bad battery, or bad alternator. Take the battery to any auto shop like pep boys or autozone, they have a tester (free). Grab a flashlight and look for the ground. If you have time, get the alternator checked as it may not be charging the battery.

95RogueM3

I assume its almost got to be a combination of the alternator and now battery (as a result of being run with zero re-charging). The car is located on a side-street where it started to die, and I was planning on going and peeking around tomorrow and also calling AAA to tow it somewhere. Apparently the alternator replacement on the contour is something terrible (requires removing the axle in some instances)...and I'll likely just have a local shop take a look and tell me whats up. If its going to be crazy $$, I will just buy another car.

Im right near the Village shopping center.

Computer_Nerd

Might be the alternator which ruined the battery with no charge, but at least check the wires to the alternator, then have a shop test the alternator (some might be able to do it while in the car). If it's the alternator, it is a major pain.

Here's the instructions on how to do it.

Lord Humongous

IT's the alternator.

Ask me how I know

95RogueM3

I'm pretty sure as well. We'll know later today hopefully.

Boost Happy

Check the power cables from the battery to the main junction block, the harness is garbage on contours here. They crack, break, & eventually become completely exposed

95RogueM3

But wouldn't that have prevented the car from being jumped yesterday afternoon?

Boost Happy

Yep, It sure will. I fix them often at work. It's not going to be able to jump if the connection is open to the main block but It maybe shorted, which is more common which can allow for jumps but wont keep charge.. There 4 wires coming off just the positive terminal


EDITED

95RogueM3

Exactly and I was able to jump it at 5:30pm last night. Then I think I must have killed the battery driving it without the alternator and I couldn't rejump it.

Thanks for the pointers...