Ford Focus - Battery light - Intermittent Appearence

yop

Guys,

On my wifes Focus, 2001 - 103k miles, 1.6 petrol the battery light is intermittently coming on.

She brought it to Advance who checked the battery and said that it was fine.
It never has an issue starting.

Any ideas on what this might be?

zuutroy

Probably a loose connection somewhere.

crosstownk

The 'battery' light is actually the warning light for the alternator. It sounds like there may be a problem with the alternator - possibly a loose wire as zuutroy stated above. The alternator needs to be tested, preferably when the light is on.

Avns1s

Check the fan belt and verify that it's not slipping.

After that it's likely a problem with the alternator, check the bearings (see that the pulley runs smooth when the belt is off and no side to side play in the shaft).

At 103 K it's possibly time for a recon.

yop

Thanks lads, yes I suspected that Alternator but to be honest bar servicing the car thats is far as my knowledge goes.

I checked all the wires on the alternator today but none seemed loose.

Daft question but how would I know if the belt is slipping, is it a case of turn on the car and look and see that the belt does not slip by viewing the belt?

I don;'t think I could test the altenator myself, would the likes of advance be able to test this for me?

maidhc

Mine has done that twice since I got it. If you switch off the car and start it up again it goes away. Why it does it I don't know, but it isn't an issue and doesn't stop the car from going.


The focus alternator is ECU controlled, and has a regulator too in case the ECU goes on strike. My understanding it that the ECU does something like what BMW boast about... it takes the load of the alternator when the battery is charged. Advance can barely test a 12v battery. Go to a Ford dealer, or better again, just pick up an alternator and throw it in. Ford parts are nearly cheaper than paying for labour.

yop

Were u having the same issue with the batter light?

Did u mean you are not having problems with it now??
I presume that was a new alternator

yop

Guys,
Just to add to this, herself just rang me there and the issue now is that quote
"loads of flashing lights and the rev counter, spedometer, petrol gauge indicators kept moving up and down, also abs light and handbrake lights kept coming on"

Do you still think this is the altenator?

yop

No clicking but a beep she said this morning.

zuutroy

yop wrote:

Guys,
Just to add to this, herself just rang me there and the issue now is that quote
"loads of flashing lights and the rev counter, spedometer, petrol gauge indicators kept moving up and down, also abs light and handbrake lights kept coming on"

Do you still think this is the altenator?

I would say a bad earth is possible.

yop

How do I know if it is a bad earth?

I put a new battery in it today just to eliminate it, I cleaned the two connectors with a wire brush until near shining but still I have the issue with rev counter up and down, battery light on.

So down to the bad earth or altenator

crosstownk

LIGHTNING wrote:

If the battery is dead like mine was and your try to start the car, you will hear a clicking sound and all the dials will move up and down and all the lights will come on. Sounds like you had the same problem as me. You could try a new battery, halfords do one for 65e. If you car then dies in the exact same way in a few days after you install the new battery its defo the alternator!

This is an expensive diagnosis. Much better to test for a faulty component rather than replacing as a process of elimination. Mind you, in some main dealers it might well cost more than €65 per hour (plus VAT) to do a check for a faulty component!

Joseyrod

Hi,

I have a 2005 ford focus. 2months ago I replaced the alternator. Again today my battery light goes on intermittently while driving. Any ideas? something loose? Bad part? Battery going?

Sincerely Jo

Joseyrod

Thank you for you advice...
Advance Auto can test the alternator or do you suggest the dealer?