# Charging problems

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/charging-problems/38299>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** mercury, topaz\
**Created:** [October 19, 2009, 2:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/charging-problems/38299 "2009-10-19T02:37:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![posmercury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@posmercury](https://community.cartalk.com/u/posmercury)\
**Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 2:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/charging-problems/38299/1 "2009-10-19T02:37:51Z")

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We have a '91 Mercury Topaz. We are having problems with the charging system especially when we com to a stop with the lights, wipers and heat on. We just replaced the battery, alternator (two after the first one failed), checked & cleaned the ground wire and checked the conections to the fuse box. After having a few family members look at at it as well we are at our wits end, please help

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**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\
**Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 3:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/charging-problems/38299/2 "2009-10-19T03:22:22Z")

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Check the battery warning light to make sure it is working. It supplies power to the exciter and if it doesn’t turn on when the key is turned to ON there is your problem. The wires on the back side of the alternator should all have close to battery voltage on them when the engine is running.

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**Author:** ![posmercury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/94ad74/32.png) [@posmercury](https://community.cartalk.com/u/posmercury)\
**Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 3:41am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/charging-problems/38299/3 "2009-10-19T03:41:54Z")

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I’ll take a look at that thanks for your help

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**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\
**Post date:** [October 19, 2009, 3:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/charging-problems/38299/4 "2009-10-19T03:50:08Z")

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WHAT problems are you having with the charging system?

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**Author:** ![researcher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/edb3f5/32.png) [@researcher](https://community.cartalk.com/u/researcher)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2009, 6:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/charging-problems/38299/5 "2009-10-20T18:03:55Z")

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Does it just stop charging when you come to a stop? Does the battery light come on?