• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Battery Problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter ksteak1
  • Start date Start date Sep 12, 2007
K

ksteak1

New Member
Sep 12, 2007
23
0
0
Sep 12, 2007
#1
  • Sep 12, 2007
  • #1
I have an 87 LX 5.0. Yesterday my AMP light came on and I noticed that my battery gauge was way down. I barely got the car home. I took the battery to a local shop and tested it -- they said it was no good. Bought a new battery and installed it. Same problem. AMP light is on... gauge is down in the red... even though the battery is new.

What's my next approach? Alternator replacement? Just seems weird that a brand new battery starts off in the red...

Thanks for your help!

EDIT: Oops, this should probably be in tech, not talk, right??
 

gtcobra302

Member
Sep 6, 2005
118
1
16
Centra Florida
Sep 12, 2007
#2
  • Sep 12, 2007
  • #2
you should get your alternator tested. Take the car to autozone or advanced and they can test it in the parking lot. Check the ground on the alternator, and the plug on the side of the alternator, a lot of times that plug gets brittle and the clips break and it will make a poor connection.

Or you can start the car and take the ground cable off of the battery while the car is running and if the car dies it is most likely the alternator. Then you can take the alternator off and just take it to advanced or autozone and just get it tested. It will kind of narrow down your search.
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,813
234
Dublin GA
Sep 12, 2007
#3
  • Sep 12, 2007
  • #3
gtcobra302 said:
you should get your alternator tested. Take the car to autozone or advanced and they can test it in the parking lot. Check the ground on the alternator, and the plug on the side of the alternator, a lot of times that plug gets brittle and the clips break and it will make a poor connection.

Or you can start the car and take the ground cable off of the battery while the car is running and if the car dies it is most likely the alternator. Then you can take the alternator off and just take it to advanced or autozone and just get it tested. It will kind of narrow down your search.
Click to expand...

Never disconnect the power or ground cables from the battery with the engine running. The resulting electrical spike can damage the computer, radio or other electronic devices in the car.

If you are going to replace the alternator, use a 3G from a 94-95 Mustang. It is a 130 amp alternator and should have been standard equipment on all 5.0 EFI Mustangs. See http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=646825 for complete details on how to do it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
Resolved Electrical Help Please
  • Alabama
  • Jan 22, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
296
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jan 22, 2026
AeroCoupe
E
2007 GT Stalls when lights or a/c turned on
  • ejscarfo
  • Jun 22, 2026
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech
Replies
2
Views
145
2005 - 2009 Specific Tech Jun 29, 2026
ejscarfo
E
M
12 mustang gt check charging battery light
  • millerj7950$
  • Jan 24, 2026
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
187
2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk- May 14, 2026
BossHorseGirl
B
C
Stock 1993 charging issue at idle
  • Charlie1
  • Sep 21, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
370
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Sep 24, 2025
Mustang5L5
S
All power lost at crank
  • saf_blu302
  • Mar 7, 2026
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Replies
4
Views
255
1994 - 1995 Specific Tech Mar 12, 2026
General karthief
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?