2000 Mercury Cougar Electrical system Problems

“Mercury Cougar 2000 started to give me problems within the last week: lights flickering,loss of power, stalling. Currently in a garage getting a new alternator installed. Not under warranty. I fortunately found on the web that there is a recall for an electrical problem, but don't believe this will resolve the issue as it hasn't for anyone else. I read countless reports of this same problem on the web.”

“The lights on the interior and exterior of my car have been flickering since I purchased the car from an individual a few years ago. Last week I smelled burning wires while driving and me and my husband pulled off the road and he investigated the problem as to where the smell was coming from. He noticed the battery cables were hot and melted insulation on them at the battery posts. Now instead of a flickering alternator light,headlights,and dash lights, I have an alternator light that stays on and everything else is still flickering. …”

“My car stalled while in the middle of a busy intersection while in motion. Later find out that I need a new fuel pump. Was not aware it was under recall. Paid to have it fixed in july of 2009. Repair shop failed to put my VIN, mileage, and correct year of vehicle on invoice resulting in not being able to get my money back from ford. Recall was good through january 31, 2010. My car once again stalled while at a stop light sparks and small flames when attempting to start after stalling. Electrical problem, and ford is doing nothing about it. I replaced the battery and still no crank or clicking. …”

“This is the 2nd time that I am replacing an alternator on my 2000 Mercury Cougar. This time, it's been less than a year since I replaced the old one. This seems to be an ongoing problem with the 2000 Cougar, and Mercury/ford have no intentions on recalling the vehicle for this problem. It's extremely frustrating that the alternator keeps going on this vehicle. Of course it keeps happening after the warranty is up, causing you to have to shell out hundreds of dollars over and over again. …”

“With little or no warning, my car's electrical system will start failing. Lights will dim, RPM and speed gages reset and the car stalls. The vehicle will not start again and has to be towed to the shop. Vehicle has left me stranded 3 times because of this. The failure is in the alternator to the car and possibly the battery as well which has only ever been the original ford batteries. I have had to have my battery replaced 3 times and my alternator 3 times. This has all occurred within the last 2 1/2 years. …”