Alternator/generator/regulator problems of the 2006 Ford Freestyle

The first week of June 2017, we were having issues with the electrical in our Freestyle. The lighting would dim and brighten on and off while the car was running and there was almost a pulse in the rev of the engine. We took the vehicle into our local mechanic and had to have our alternator replaced. In July 2017, we were driving to meet with friends for breakfast and the Freestyle stopped running a couple car lengths away from a major intersection. We, again, replaced the alternator and this time the battery had a dead cell and needed replaced as well. We noticed nothing to alert us to the electrical issue this time, no pulsing or change in the lighting. We have not used the Freestyle much over the winter because we noticed the pulsing and light issues again and when we took it into our mechanic, they couldn't replicate the issue. We also have a second vehicle and did not need to use it much. We started it a couple of times to try and prevent any issues, but could not get it to start at all this week and when we tired to jump start it, we could only get it to run when it was hooked to our second vehicle. The Freestyle was towed to the shop today and we are currently having the third alternator installed and a second battery. The mechanic is looking into the issue further, due to the number of times we have been in for these issues. We hope to find a resolution to this issue.

Problems started after the battery and alternator were changed back in November 2017. First, the battery light and check charging system went on right after the Ford dealer changed the battery and alternator. We were told that the electrical output was fine despite the warning light. Since then several alternators were changed by the dealer but the warning light remained and the dealer does not know how to fix this. Today while driving (streets and highway) the dashboard (instrument cluster) went off and on and all gauges went to zero and back on after a while during driving. There was a kick to the engine every time this happened. My backlights went crazy (including reverse lights) while driving forward on streets/highway. Turning lights were also affected. Other drivers alerted me today. This is a danger to us and others. I fear the engine could eventually get affected too. There are many posts online with identical issues and Ford does not appear to be willing or able to solve this.

Alternator replaced by firestone three times in two weeks span, and then Ford dealer changed alternator two times in two weeks span, problem remains same in the vehicle. Problem appears randomly, no dash board display only battery glows when I start car.

The car began to jerk and lurch, and engine speed abruptly slowed after about (3) hours of highway driving (from vermont to new hampshire). A trouble light (wrench icon) appeared. Engine rpms fluctuated, but vehicle would not respond to the gas pedal. Pulled over, waited a few minutes, restarted the car. Trouble light was no longer on, and the vehicle was fine and normal for the rest of the ride home. Brought car to portsmouth Ford, who could not find any problem. Second incident, January 2011: highway drive back to new hampshire from connecticut. Same problem. Abrupt and alarming drop in car speed. No throttle control. Erratic engine rpm performance. Attempted to pull off interstate highway to a safe area. Waited 5 minutes. Re-started the engine. Trouble light gone, engine performed fine, and no issue the rest of the trip. Brought the car for transmission service to valvoline, then to dowling Ford where the vehicle was purchased. Third incident, March 2011: after (2) hours of highway driving abrupt drop in engine speed while attempting to merge on interstate 84. Lost throttle control. Near collision with a tractor-trailer in bad weather while trying to get out of the way and off the highway. Frightening experience. Brought car to bob thomas Ford in hamden, connecticut for a transmission program update and complete transmission service. Dealer could not find a problem with the vehicle. Fourth incident, June 24, 2011: again on I-84 in the rain after 2. 5 hours of highway cruising. Radical loss of engine power and vehicle speed. My daughter barely avoided a collision attempting to maneuver off the highway in heavy traffic with erratic throttle control. Daughter called me in a panic, crying. Waited off the highway a few minutes, re-started, and was fine. Car no longer used on the highway, just locally. The consumer also stated the alternator failed. Updated portable 08/23/11.