Jake Oleszak
Active Member
Hello all. I need some help with my 2005 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer Edition 5.4L 3v 4x4.
I recently had the "Check Charging System" message and battery light turn on. Over the next few hours the volt gauge slowly dropped down. I figured the alternator was bad because the same message and battery light would come on at a stop and go off when I started moving for a few days prior. I replaced the alternator, started the car, but the battery then died while the car was still running.
The battery is a month old (purchased brand new). I'm thinking the cable that runs from the battery to the alternator is shot. I removed the electrical tape near the fusible link and noticed a lot of broken/corroded/rusted wires crimped into the eyelet connected to the battery. The wires that are still crimped in wiggle around a lot. I'm fairly certain this is causing a bad connection and not allowing the alternator to charge the battery. See pictures below.
I wanted to replace the full cable, but the actual part is on a national backorder and not available in the US through Ford. The part number they gave me is 5L1Z14305BA. I've only found one place online selling it (https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts/ford-wiring-asy-alternator-5l1z14305ba) and its not even available. Ebay hasn't given me any results either. I've checked local salvage yards but all the ones near me cut cables upon receiving vehicles into their lots. Auto parts stores don't sell these cables either.
I'm at a loss on what I should do here. I need my truck to get to work and my wife needs her car to take our kids to school. What can I do to fix this?? There is not much excess wire on the cable to cut back to expose fresh wire, nor is the cable long enough to reach if I cut it back.
Any constructive advice on how to fix this/what I should look into is appreciated.
Thank you.
I recently had the "Check Charging System" message and battery light turn on. Over the next few hours the volt gauge slowly dropped down. I figured the alternator was bad because the same message and battery light would come on at a stop and go off when I started moving for a few days prior. I replaced the alternator, started the car, but the battery then died while the car was still running.
The battery is a month old (purchased brand new). I'm thinking the cable that runs from the battery to the alternator is shot. I removed the electrical tape near the fusible link and noticed a lot of broken/corroded/rusted wires crimped into the eyelet connected to the battery. The wires that are still crimped in wiggle around a lot. I'm fairly certain this is causing a bad connection and not allowing the alternator to charge the battery. See pictures below.
I wanted to replace the full cable, but the actual part is on a national backorder and not available in the US through Ford. The part number they gave me is 5L1Z14305BA. I've only found one place online selling it (https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts/ford-wiring-asy-alternator-5l1z14305ba) and its not even available. Ebay hasn't given me any results either. I've checked local salvage yards but all the ones near me cut cables upon receiving vehicles into their lots. Auto parts stores don't sell these cables either.
I'm at a loss on what I should do here. I need my truck to get to work and my wife needs her car to take our kids to school. What can I do to fix this?? There is not much excess wire on the cable to cut back to expose fresh wire, nor is the cable long enough to reach if I cut it back.
Any constructive advice on how to fix this/what I should look into is appreciated.
Thank you.