Need help 2000 lsv8

[jloom]

Hey guys I'm new to the forum and just looking for some help. And yes I have searched for days, but cant find an answer. Bought my girlfriend a 2000 Lincoln LS V8 about 6 months ago and its been running fine. (Although the check charging system light was on since day one). I took it to my mechanic and he said battery was fine alternator was working, but alternator would need replaced soon. Fast forward to a week ago, girlfriend calls me to tell me car died while she was driving it (said everything slowly died... heat, radio lights etc), and would not start again. Had it towed to a reputable dealer I used to work at. They said it needed a battery. Ok replaced battery, ran fine that day. Next day girlfriend calls me again with EXACT same problem. Towed it again to dealer they said its got to be the alternator. So I said fix it. They did, and $500 later the car is fine (still had check charging system light). Now three days later the car does the same thing?? The weird part is I had the car towed to my house this time (it was Christmas day) and let it sit overnight. When I went to look at it this morning it fired right up? I'm at a loss. The battery and alternator were replaced with OEM parts. Am I looking at a loose connection somewhere or?

Thanks in advance guys.

 

[joegr]

Your main possibilities are:
1. Wiring fault. - Find and correct. Shouldn't be too hard since the fault is apparently always present. Just takes some time and effort.
2. PCM fault - Very rare and unlikely, but possible.
3. Replacement alternator is faulty.

Note also that the charging system problems are taking a toll on the new battery.

Yes, you may have a loose connection and other faults, but I would want to find and fix the fault that is keeping the alternator light on, first.

 

[jloom]

I appreciate the info, any easy way to narrow down this wiring fault? It seems as though I'm not the only LS owner with this particular problem, when I search I usually just find dead end threads and questions with no responses, although one owner said they fixed the problem with a "wiring harness," but did not specify which one.

 

[joegr]

I'd say follow the pin-point test chart for this problem (alternator light always on) in the gen I factory service manual.