Get the latest advice about your car

Get Started
Advice » Q&A » 2006 Ford Explorer

Q&A

Ask Your Question

2006 Ford Explorer

Question: I have a 2006 explorer and I had my check charging system light go on and

Question

scorpiogirl, 4.0L V6 SOHC, Elkins Park, PA, August 28, 2011, 17:44
Profile_thumbnail
 Rookie

then shut off and then I turn on again and it seems ok - I put in a new battery but I dont' know if it is the alternator or what- I don't want to waste money on the alternator if it is something else - can it be the voltage switch and is that expensive - this is driving me crazy!!

1 Answer
Answer It
Flag This

  • Answer #1

    patrick mannion from Greg Solow's Engine Room, August 28, 2011, 18:25
    Profile_thumbnail
     Master

    Check that the battery connections are clean tight and secure. Turn on the ignition switch to the on but not run position do you see an icon on the instrument panel representing a battery, if you do not see this battery icon the alternator is not seeing power to allow it to charge. Start the engine does the battery icon go out.Put a volt meter across the battery terminals with the engine off, at rest the battery voltage should be 12.6 volts if the battery is fully charged. Now get a friend to start the car while you watch the voltmeter, the voltage reading across the battery should read approximately 14.6 volts if the alternator is charging correctly.

    Flag This

  • Reply

    scorpiogirl, August 28, 2011, 20:14
    Profile_thumbnail
     Rookie

    The battery is brand new got it 2 weeks ago. The dashboard lights that I get is the battery, oil and check charging systems on it. When I put the key in and before I start the car I always get all the lights lite including the battery light. The one thing that puzzles is that when it shuts down I pull over and then it starts up again and I am able to go where I need too. We are taking it to the dealer tomorrow but my problem is that I don't trust them and they charge so much for the work to be done. This car in the last 2 months has costed me $1,000. This is my 3rd Explorer and it is the only one I have had this much problems with.

    Reply
    Flag This
Answer Ranks

This week's top 10

1 globalhelper 6 Autohaus Lake Norman
2 milesauto 7 TimGoodreau
3 csubak30 8 raiderron
4 jose8889 9 Merrimack Auto
5 obdcar 10 2004toycam