Hello, 2014 Ford Fusion SE less than 70k miles.
The car sometimes stops/cuts off. No warning on dash just stops, lights still on. Always cracks back up not a quick crack up but always does. Mechanic check first said only found that my battery to powerful for car, cleaned the terminals, fuses look good, they drove it around everything good. Then I drove in parking lot cut off again, they checked again says alternator overpowering battery.
95% positive need new alternator. What's your theory?
Forgot to clarify I have the wrong battery recommended for the car is what I meant by too powerful
found that my battery to powerful for car,
are you sure that's exactly what he said?
says alternator overpowering battery.
you mean overcharging? By how much?
Seems unlikely that would cause the stalling.
What's your theory?
No theory based on the precious little info you provided is worth anything.
Automotive diagnosis needs to be performed using tools, measurements, and data. It's a technical analysis, not a vote based on popular internet opinion.
Get a 2nd opinion. Go to an Autozone or battery dealer. They'll test your battery+alternator as free courtesy.
Thanks
Did the so called "mechanic" load test the alternator and battery???
Idk what that is sir he said he tested and checked everything but my car still has an issue. By so called mechanic what do you mean exactly
Forgot to clarify I have the wrong battery recommended for the car is what I meant by too powerful
A battery cannot be too powerful. That's not how electricity works.
You can plug a 1,500 W microwave, or a 2W phone charger into the same wall outlet right?
The battery could have a higher capacity, but I still can't believe that would cause a problem.
I have 2013 vehicle, and it can take any capacity battery I want. The dealership even installs different batteries for customers who live in the cold North. No issues at all. What the heck is wrong with Ford?
Wish I knew
Put the correct battery size and then load test the battery and alternator. Realize that your charging system is computer controlled and putting a wrong battery can make the computer go squirrelly.
I really doubt this. what do you mean by size?
Batteries with the same physical dimensions can have different capacities. Manufacturers have to account for this.
If the charging is computerized, then it has to be able to detect voltage, current, state-of-charge, etc. It should be smart enough to know when to stop charging, or else it's dumber than the system we've been using for a 100 years.
By too powerful, I thought he meant to say a bigger-size battery, not the CCA.
the only way that would make a difference, is if the battery was SO big that it was shorting out on the hood.
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Great stuff @mmj!
Thank you
It might be helpful to capture the problem on video to share, rather than to describe what you think is happening. What do you mean by "cuts off?" I'd guess that the engine stops. What does "cracks back up" mean? Did you mean, the engine starts back up?
Battery, or alternator normally wouldn't cause the engine to just shut off the way I think you're describing. That would be more in line with ignition system or fuel system, and perhaps many other things as well.
Yes and yes to your first 2 questions. I'll try to capture video however this happens at random. I don't think anything about the car besides I want it to work. That's why I'm here {black}:surprised: