Headlights/ Dash Lights Flickering????

Hi All,Has anyone experienced any problems with their Headlights and or Dashlights flickering consistantly?? if so is there any fix for it? Any help would be awsome. Thanx in advance.

Hi All,Has anyone experienced any problems with their Headlights and or Dashlights flickering consistantly?? if so is there any fix for it? Any help would be awsome. Thanx in advance.

My Cougar does the same thing. I was told that it is the alternator.
I have replaced my alternator 3 times. It makes the lights work fine for a little while then they start up again

it would seriously help if you could give the year and engine size of your cougar, also, is it JUST your lights?? does your heater/ac fan slow down and speed up with the flickering of the lights??? how long has this problem been going on??

it would seriously help if you could give the year and engine size of your cougar, also, is it JUST your lights?? does your heater/ac fan slow down and speed up with the flickering of the lights??? how long has this problem been going on??

It's a 99 cougar 2.5 v6 dash lights headlights etc. I haven't noticed the fan moter slow down. It's been doing it since I bought it last year. I have had the car since Nov 04.

I have replaced 2 alternators, 2 fuel injectors, sun roof motor and track, plugs, wires, ignition coil and numerous other items.

When I turn on the A/C the car really loses power and preformance also.

side note: do you know where I can get cats for the car. I need to replace the front side but I'm told that it's a dealer item only and comes one piece. Both sides are one piece tot he Y pipe.Thanks

Ken

my wifes cougar (99 v6) has been having the same problem with the lights for the last 2 years and it hasnt caused any real problems yet, yeah its annoying but until it causes the car to not start/drive, im not even gonna worry about it, if it was the alternator causing that noticable of a problem you would need to jump start your car literally every time you start it, you mention youve replaced the sunroof track, my wifes sunroof track needs replaced as well, i hear its a common problem on these cougars, hers was open when it broke, the mechanic said he'd close it for $100 or fix it for $1200, we just had it closed

I have a 2000 Cougar -- just purchased -- and I have the same problem - no problem with the way the car runs - but the charging light flickers sometimes - had the alternator/battery checked and was told they were fine. Any more suggestions?

There is a TSB #00-25-6 for 1999-2000 Cougars with the 2.5L V6 engine : Charging system-headlamps flicker when engine cold.

My friend's '99 Cougar 2.5 lost it's headlights the other day. Dash and overhead indicator lights went out as well. A fuse fixed the dash, but I can't find anything wrong with the headlights. Also lost blower fan a couple of weeks ago and no fuses or relays that we can find are bad. Already fixed the recall on the resistor.

There is a TSB #00-25-6 for 1999-2000 Cougars with the 2.5L V6 engine : Charging system-headlamps flicker when engine cold.
could you put that first part in english, and the car in my situation does it when the engine is cold and completely warmed up

Sorry. TSB is a Technical Service Bulletin from Ford. It outlines common problems found on their vehicles. Your dealer should know about them. Or go to this site:http://www.alldata.com/TSB/36/003620c8.html which has all the TSB's for the 2000 Cougar, and many other vehicles. I actually have a print out of this TSB and it says the condition may still occur after the vehicle is warmed up. It should only take 1 hour to fix. they have to reroute the battery sense line. I have a 2001 V6 and thought I had the same problem 'cause my lights always dim when I step on the brakes. Very annoying but a different problem.

I actually have a print out of this TSB and it says the condition may still occur after the vehicle is warmed up. It should only take 1 hour to fix. they have to reroute the battery sense line.


I had the TSB mod done to my '00; didn't help at all. I'm not convinced it didn't make it worse. It's going in for its 3rd alternator, the one put in 2 weeks ago now makes the battery warning light flicker.

Just got my '00 home from the dealer. They replaced the connector that attaches to the alternator, the push-on terminals weren't fitting tightly. Part number is: 3U2Z 14S411 SHA, "WIRE ASY". I'm assuming this is a crimp-on extension to the wiring harness to replace the terminal ends that would have to be cut off. All the way home I had the heads & fogs on, and they were steady as...lights are supposed to be. It may be coincidental but I also got the best gas mileage I ever had - up to 26.1 according to the trip computer. Amazing what a difference the proper voltage can make.
I'm assuming with no guarantee that the replacement is designed better than the original. Cost of part is $23.33

I have had my 2000 for two years and the lights have had the same problem for at least 8 months. I feel like I am driving a motercycle with the flickering headlight. I have had to replace the sunroof and track. Now it appears that I have a leaky CV Boot. I also need ideas on how to get the EGR valve out.

Sounds like we all have the same issues. I would like to know if these are a consistant problem why hasn't Ford done a recal on any of these parts!!

...why hasn't Ford done a recal on any of these parts!!

Recalls are done for limited resons that involve mainly safety. Just being a crappy part isn't enough. What is considered a safety defect seems to have little rhyme or reason. My Contour's dash was recalled because it warped and could block the defroster vents, there's no recall on my warped gas tanks, although suddenly losing power in traffic is certainly unsafe. Same with headlights that flicker like a disco - they're a hazard to the driver as well as other motorists, but it's hard enough to get them properly diagnosed, much less fixed at the factory's expense.
Only the most serious problems are voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer - most are ordered by the NHTSA. Then comes the disputes as the manufacturer challenges the findings. Look at how long it took to resolve the Chevy pickup gas tank issue, and they built tons of them. They made a relative handful of Cougars and they're now out of production, so there's very little time or interest to devote to issues related to them.

There is a special extended warranty on emissions-related equipment such as your EGR valve. Check your warranty booklet that came with the owner's manual.

HEY - You all are like finding an Oasis! I have had my quirky cougar ('00)for a year, and the headlights and interior lights have always flickered. Its gotten a little worse so I started asking about it, people are freaking me out about the alternator, I found out the part is $200 alone! but otherwise it runds fine, and it seems that if it was the alternator, that the car would lose power... bluepd57, Did you ever find out what was the case on yours?

I have an appointment with the garage tonight, they are going to charge me 50 bucks just to LOOK at it and I dont want to get roped.

Also, just a side note... I have had allll the same things go wrong with the car, sun roof, fan blower, leaks... <sigh> I should just get a new car, but I honestly cant afford it right now. Any more info anyone has would be fantastic!

Quirky - keep your eyes open and your hand on your wallet. This problem is so often diagnosed as a bad alternator. And yes not only is the alternator expensive the labor is high also if you're not DIY. The location is such a horror, you need to pull the right axle to remove it. Simply brilliant.

I let them do an alternator (under warranty on their dime), then the bulletin for the undersized wire (!), but it was the replacement connector that fixed it. See my above post for the Ford part number.

Between this Cougar and my wife's Contour Ford quality has sold 2 Toyotas. I replaced my Mustang with a Scion tC and my daughter is getting out of the Cougar for a tC of her own.

Hopefully the replacement Contour gas tank will hold up long enough for my wife to replace it for a Solara or Accord. Billy Clay has seen his last dime from me and mine.

OMG you jpolicke are SO right! Thanks so much for the advice.

After this car I have made up my mind to get a Toyota, and I too have my eye on the TC! I just cant afford it right now, and my job is up in the air so I have to figure out what i am going to do about that first.

I found the information on a recall for this but my garage wouldnt cover it, said I didnt have a VIN number that qualified. I am SOOO mad! They just wont cover anything for this car. Especially that sunroof defect I am still fuming about. I called Mercury last night but their offices were closed. Does anyone have a good phone number or ideas?

Sorry to hear about your job worries.

When the Cougar's gas tank warped, they replaced it under warranty. When the same thing happened to the Coutour that was out of warranty, they quoted me $968. In the back of the owner's manual is an 800 number (it should be 1800-MY4DSUX, but I believe it's 1800-392-3673) that gets you their customer relations dept. I called it and after ranting about how I had a good mind to fill the tank and take it to a Toyota store they came back and agreed to eat 70% of the cost. The catch is that they won't consider any assistance until it's been diagnosed by a Ford dealer. They make the offer to you through the service department, not directly to you.
You will love the tC. Once you get past your job issues, wax the Cougar and trade it in.

Hey so I know this is a really old thread, but I'm hoping someone out there can help me. In June I bought a 00 cougar from and old woman. I was obviously really well taken care of and had less than 80 k on it. About 2 weeks after I bought it I noticed the headlights flickered. This eventually progressed to headlights and dashlights. Now it seems to be headlights, dashlights, and any ac/ heater fans that are blowing will slow down in accordance to the dimming of the lights. Does anyone have any idea what this could be? I've had the battery and alternator tested, both of which are fine. It does not have the battery line recall, which I thought could be the issue. The only other thing I think it could be is a short somewhere? It everything flickers right as you turn on the car and while its idling, as well as when you're driving and go to step on the break pedal.

If anyone could help me that would be wonderful. I certainly don't want to end up on the side of the road somewhere.

Take a look at post number 12. That fixed the flicker in my old Cougar too. Call the deal with that part number, and if you're not DIY, buy your most mechanical friend a case of Busch Light.

Hey so I know this is a really old thread, but I'm hoping someone out there can help me. In June I bought a 00 cougar from and old woman. I was obviously really well taken care of and had less than 80 k on it. About 2 weeks after I bought it I noticed the headlights flickered. This eventually progressed to headlights and dashlights. Now it seems to be headlights, dashlights, and any ac/ heater fans that are blowing will slow down in accordance to the dimming of the lights. Does anyone have any idea what this could be? I've had the battery and alternator tested, both of which are fine. It does not have the battery line recall, which I thought could be the issue. The only other thing I think it could be is a short somewhere? It everything flickers right as you turn on the car and while its idling, as well as when you're driving and go to step on the break pedal.

If anyone could help me that would be wonderful. I certainly don't want to end up on the side of the road somewhere.

I hope you get this fixed. These Cougars had lots of electrical problems I think. My lights dimmed, fan slowed down etc. everytime I stepped on the brakes. I never took it in to get it checked out. About 4.5 years ago I finished work, went to the parking garage, and found my Cougar was destroyed by a fire! Only thing they could determine was that it was probably bad wiring somewhwere under the hood. I'll probably never buy a Ford again. Other problems I had, water leaked into the hatch area, lots of trouble filling the gas tank (nozzle kept clicking off even when the tank was not full), and car occasionally stumbled when trying to accelerate. Good luck on a solution! They are still a nice looking cars.

I do believe that it is the clip on the alternator is the issue with the lights flickering, I reached in and played with the plugs and it seemed to help will order the new plug pigtail and install,

hey i know this is an old post but i was hoping to get help simply out of ideas, so the other day i got in my 99 mercury cougar and was driving when i noticed the battery light flickering. as i kept driving the dash board dimmed. we thought it was the battery or altinator we had some one meet us we hooked jumper cables to it to give us enough battery to get home. the next day it ran as smooth as ever. then that night i was taking my husband to work when the battery light started flickering again but it ran just fine the battery light even stayed on for 6 miles and the car never missed a beat. the next morning i went to the auto shop to have the battery and altinator tested and on the way every time i stopped at a stop light it acted like it was going to die. the tested and every thing was fine, they hooked up the computer and it said my EGR valve was out so i just figured that was it. i got home called and told my husband what they said and he said that the EGR valve had been unplugged a year ago and it never caused anything????? so confused as to whats wrong with it any ideas please?

Hello all I have a 2000 mercury cougar with 34k on it. About 2 months ago I turned the lights on and nothing happened. Since then I have had 4 different mechanics with electrical knowledge look at it. The #26 fuse keeps blowing which controls the the headlights. It's on the top row 3rd from the right 7.5 amp. I replaced the fuse box and the lights worked for 2 weeks and it started again blowing fuses. The last mechanic was VERY knowledgable about auto electric. He did an HID light conversion with a relay which completely changed the system to upgraded lights (masterful job I might ad). That didn't work the fuse blew right after the installation. Then he did the TSB modification ( pita fix) or pain in the arse if you don't get the pita because the alternator is under the car on the right side very difficult to work on. That didn't work it still blows fuses even without driving just by turning on the light switch. I havn't replaced the alternator and reading this forum doesn't seem to help. Havn't replaced the light switch ( ford doesn't have a new one available nationally I checked) Maybe aftermarket is available. Part #XS8Z11654BA. That wire assembly for the Alternator is my next step Part #3U2Z 14S411 SHA. Will let this forum know the results.

When you piggy back on a 2 page thread that started in 2005, most members here won't go back through the old posts. Start a new thread you'll probably get more responses.

Took your advice there are probably a lot of cougar owners with this problem that don't know where to go for help on this #26 fuse blowing that controls headlights. I am in the process of getting the connector for the alternator. Hope it works. New to this forum so making some mistakes but have a new thread now.