No, it wouldn't do that, not to mention most manufacturers try to do something to make the alternator as foolproof as possible, such as different sized ring terminals from the battery positive to the alternator than what's used from the alternator to the ground.
If your alternator is overcharging, you likely have a defective voltage regulator. It's an integral part of the alternator.
Inside the alternator
Recheck your battery to see if hooked up right.
This could also be alternator problems as in a bad diode in the alternator.
My advice is to charge the battery with a battery charger before starting the engine. You will be putting a heavy load on the alternator if you allow it to charge a dead battery. This could damage the alternator.
battery hooked up backward, wires crossed somewhere or it could be the solenoid.
Could be the alternator is not charing correctly.
If you have already checked the connections on the battery I would suggest testing the alternator and the battery. If the battery will not take a charge or the alternator will not give a charge you could have similar problems.
Auto Zone will check your alternator for free...
Because he is the alternate,he is in charge and they basically don't have to!
yes, it's the alternator. I have a 87 Lincoln town car as well and when the alternator is bad it will not hold a charge. In your message system it should be saying charge system, that what's it's telling you. Hope this helps
If the alternator is good and the battery does not charge, then the battery may be bad. There could be problem with the electronics. You will need to take it to a place where they sell batteries. They have equipment to check out the battery and the wiring.
is your "NO CHARGE" warning light coming on? if not this could simply be the problem, on some vehicles the charging circuit incorperates the "NO CHARGE" bulb and if its blown the vehicle wont charge. COuld be an alternator problem ( worn bushes etc) or faulty earth lead from alternator.