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It seems I have another small issue with the beloved Focus. Last night, the electrical warning light came on, when the car was at low idling speed, and at low speeds. When I gave it some gas, and some revs, the light went out. Started this morning fine, but, again the light came on at low revs. Highway, everything was fine. I had to repalce the Positve Battery clamp last week, with a Canadian Tire special when I did some work. I put all three wires into the one clamp. I'm thinking though, that it's the alternator.
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07-23-2008, 10:32 PM
(This post was last modified: 07-23-2008, 10:33 PM by hardk0re.)
It sounds like its a bad alternator, its on its last legs.
Check if the 95 escort alternator will fit the focus, I have a brand new one in my escort and its going to the scrapper. Both are SPI, and my alternator I got had a pully on it that said FOCUS.
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Double check the battery though. My battery light came on last year in the Focus and I drove it to Erinwood thinking I was getting a new alternator, they put the alternator under load test and it passed but the battery.... not so much <_<
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NefCanuck,Jul 23 2008, 10:12 AM Wrote:Double check the battery though. My battery light came on last year in the Focus and I drove it to Erinwood thinking I was getting a new alternator, they put the alternator under load test and it passed but the battery.... not so much <_<
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New Battery in November, alternator is 2 years old.....
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hardk0re,Jul 23 2008, 08:32 AM Wrote:It sounds like its a bad alternator, its on its last legs.
Check if the 95 escort alternator will fit the focus, I have a brand new one in my escort and its going to the scrapper. Both are SPI, and my alternator I got had a pully on it that said FOCUS.
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Checked Rockauto.com, they are two different part numbers.
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oldeguy,Jul 23 2008, 10:44 AM Wrote:NefCanuck,Jul 23 2008, 10:12 AM Wrote:Double check the battery though.ÃÂ My battery light came on last year in the Focus and I drove it to Erinwood thinking I was getting a new alternator, they put the alternator under load test and it passed but the battery.... not so much <_<
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New Battery in November, alternator is 2 years old.....
[right][snapback]269247[/snapback][/right]
I'd get some test done to see what is happening. COuld this be caused by a bad ground?
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oldeguy,Jul 23 2008, 10:44 AM Wrote:New Battery in November, alternator is 2 years old.....
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What brand of battery? Canadian Tire? Take it in and have it tested to rule it out. I've had them go bad within a year before...
Also most good shops can load test your alternator too. Where did you pick up the alternator, and would it be still under warantee?
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reldridge,Jul 23 2008, 12:05 PM Wrote:oldeguy,Jul 23 2008, 10:44 AM Wrote:New Battery in November, alternator is 2 years old.....
[right][snapback]269247[/snapback][/right]
What brand of battery? Canadian Tire? Take it in and have it tested to rule it out. I've had them go bad within a year before...
Also most good shops can load test your alternator too. Where did you pick up the alternator, and would it be still under warantee?
Ryan
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Yeah, my bat for the bmw was from wallymart and it was dead after 1 year. Replaced it with the same cheap one. :lol: :ph34r:
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The car starts fine, no trouble starting, the light stays off, but as the revs come down to idle, the light comes on and the headlights, etc, start to dim. when the revs are up, the "battery" light goes out, and the electrical items work well
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Check your grounds, I had the same issue and thats what it was. The alternator generates more power as the rpms go up, so if there is a ground off you are still getting the necessary power to keep that light out but at the same time your keeping most of that energy contained in the alternator. Eventually, she will cook herself. I think checking the grounds is a pretty cheap solution if thats the problem ;)
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