[beatz]

I have a 2000 cougar, 2.5L V6.

I went to leave today, and when I went to start it I noticed the gauges reset. Kinda weird, but it started and I was on my way.

When I went to leave my destination, car started to turn over for a split second, then just stopped. The dash lights went from real bright to real dim. The beeping sound from no seat belt or whatever, when from full volume to almost silent.

So i got a friend to give me a jump. all the dash lights light up, but the starter just clicks. It will keep clicking as long as I am on it, just never turns over. I also noticed that when I try and start it, the check engine light, and the battery light blink in sync with the starter clicks. Nothing else, just these lights, the rest stay fully lit. I used a DMM to check the voltage on the battery, and it read ~12.76V.

Sorry if this has been posted before, I live in Denver and just need to get it home before it starts snowing on wednesday. She is a Roush and deserves a garage! Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Fast_kat01]

probably your battery have it tested to make sure. if the battery is still good just drained then its your alternator.

 

[Stealth]

Do a voltage drop test on the battery. You have a DMM, set it to measure the voltage and then crank it. Volts shouldn't drop below 9v, and if it does, then the battery is junk.

 

[beatz]

How about with the jump? I should have still been able to turn it over with the jump even if the battery is junk right? being as I had it jumped to the terminals and not the battery itself.

 

[Fast_kat01]

no the jump won't help if the battery is drained. have it ttested or do it yourself. chances are its just a dead battery but be sure to have the alternator tested as well just to be safe. these cars aren't known for haveing great alternators

 

[beatz]

Ok, thanks for the help Fast_kat01. I hope it is just a dead battery. I have no cash for much more.

Also thanks for your help Stealth.

I will post again when I am able to get back to the car in the morning. Thanks for your help!

 

[skater]

How about with the jump? I should have still been able to turn it over with the jump even if the battery is junk right? being as I had it jumped to the terminals and not the battery itself.

Like Fast_kat01 said, not necessarily. When the battery in my Impala died, no amount of jumping it helped - we even did the "let the other car run for a while" thing. It was just too far gone.

 

[beatz]

Thanks for all your help. Was just the battery. But I guess as I approach 100k i should not be surprised to have the alt. and starter go out too!

Here is a pic if you are curious what you helped me get back to the garage.

 

[1quikcat]

Hey is there any type of aftrmarket alternator that will fit on a '00 cougar v6?

 

[01Zedn]

Hey is there any type of aftrmarket alternator that will fit on a '00 cougar v6?

Why would you want to get rid of a 3G?

 

[NorCalCoug]

Like Fast_kat01 said, not necessarily. When the battery in my Impala died, no amount of jumping it helped - we even did the "let the other car run for a while" thing. It was just too far gone.

Even with a dead battery, as long as you don't attach posts to posts, and the recipient car is attached red cable to positive, black cable grounded to motor, it should turn over. It might not start, but it should turn over. The battery kind of acts like a time-delay capacitor for the electrical system when the car is running. "Jumping" a car, if you do it with the cables properly attached, is the equivalent of attaching the other car's battery to your car's electrical system. You're just using really long wires instead of the short ones that normally attach your battery to your electrical system

Most of the time though, if the car won't stay running after a jump, the alternator is probably toast.

Three tests to do:

Voltage test the battery: Should read between 12-13v
Drop test battery: Should read ~9v+ when cranking
Voltage test electrical system: Your electrical system should read MORE than 12v while the car is running. Usually 13.1v-14v

 

[kwg2371]

Hey is there any type of aftrmarket alternator that will fit on a '00 cougar v6?

yup DB electircal makes em and there awsome but costly there have a no questions asked return policy as well with a 1 yera warenty

 

[01Zedn]

I can build a 200A 3G, but idk why you would need it on a Cougar. I have a 165A on my Bronco that is more than enough. Why do you need an aftermarket alt?

 

[99cougarOZ]

does your gauges go all the way around like its reseting, if it is, it could be the connection one one of the battery terminals or nasty corrosion on the inside of the terminal. 1st before you assume its something major try disconnecting the battery and cleaning the inside of the termninals, 2nd check and see if theres any open wires or if you have a amp wire, make sure those r not open at all. let me know if that helps ya

 

[1quikcat]

i just wanted an aftermarket alternator because the oem alternator is crap and im tired of having to get a new one

 

[LostRacer]

I can build a 200A 3G, but idk why you would need it on a Cougar. I have a 165A on my Bronco that is more than enough. Why do you need an aftermarket alt?

Some people have car audio equipment that can draw more than what the stock alt can put out.

Example: The cougar stock alt is 130amp. My sub competition amp is fused at 150amp.(recommended by manufacturer) At full draw I'd guesstimate it can easily pull 140amps with 14.5 volts.

 

[kwg2371]

Some people have car audio equipment that can draw more than what the stock alt can put out.

Example: The cougar stock alt is 130amp. My sub competition amp is fused at 150amp.(recommended by manufacturer) At full draw I'd guesstimate it can easily pull 140amps with 14.5 volts.

+!
and just think how pissed off you get putting in new ALT's every couple weeks and how much cash you blow getting them put in
i'ts a great investment for people with stereos

 

[01Zedn]

+!
and just think how pissed off you get putting in new ALT's every couple weeks and how much cash you blow getting them put in
i'ts a great investment for people with stereos

Yea, I know. I'm am an audio guy. I was aking why to find out if that was why or if it was just that his was crap.

 

[1quikcat]

:disgust:Nope Just the stock stereo and speakers and everything. just a crappy alternator i suppose

 

[LostRacer]

Never hurts to have some overhead