Put new voltage regulator on, still having problems overheating, battery dying, is it the harness or electrical system?
5

Asked by danidela Aug 17, 2012 at 05:17 PM about the 1990 Ford Thunderbird RWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 1990 Thunderbird 3.8 I started having problems with the car dying, so I took to a automotive store and they
tested battery and alternator.   Was told it was because voltage regulator needed to be replaced.  I put a new one
on 4 days ago, and my car is still doing same thing..  very high idle when in Park, slows some but still high when I
drive, car is hot  hot but temp gauge reads normal level, I have to get a jump or put on quick charger every day.   
Where should I look next, could it be the wiring harness, or a short in the electrical system??

1 Answer
2,675

Richard answered 11 years ago

You have a couple of things going on. The over heating has nothing to do with the battery trouble. I would check the tensoin on the belt(s) to make sure that they are not slipping. Then I would bake sure that if this has electric fans that they are coming on. How old is the battery in the car? If it is more then 5 years old I would change it because the plactes can shift and make a dead cell. It may test out fine but when the car gets hot they may fail. Also has anyone checked the water level in the battery? Some maintenence free batterys still require you to check the water levels. The over heating could be numerous things from the fans not coming on to a thermos stat sticking closed. Make sure the connections at the battery and the alternator are clean and tight.

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