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Conference terri::cars_uk

Title:	Cars in the UK
Notice:	Please read new conference charter 1.70
Moderator:	COMICS::SHELLEYELD

Created:	Sun Mar 06 1994
Last Modified:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:	Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:	2584
Total number of notes:	63384

1470.0. "Escort Battery Light problem" by YUPPY::MCINTYRE () Mon Jun 17 1991 16:29

    
    
    I need some advice on a fault with my wife's ford escort...I've read
    the books but thought I'd run it past some experts.......
    
    
    The battery warning light has just started to illuminate (or at least
    I've just noticed it)...however it is extremley dim most of the time
    and is not really visible in daylight at all (which is why it has
    probably gone unnoticed for the past few weeks/months).
    
    BTW ..Recently the battery has started to exhibit signs of low voltage..poor
    starting etc.
    
    Also recently the battery light has started to glow more brightly and
    occasionaly flickers to full illumination. I can sometimes drive for an
    hour or so and the light does not illuminate at all.
    
    When the car is revved beyond 4K5 the light goes out completley
    (sometimes!!).
    
    I think it's the alternator that is causing the problem, but would
    appreciate any comments
    
    Thanks
    
    Tom

T.R	Title	User	Personal Name	Date	Lines
1470.1	Slipping belt?	WELCLU::SHUTTLEWOOD		`Mon Jun 17 1991 16:37`	2
	Could be nothing more than a slipping drive belt, especially if it's worse in wet weather.....
1470.2		MASALA::IJOHNSTON	Dib Dib Dib!	`Mon Jun 17 1991 16:40`	6
	Check that your fan belt is tight and that the rubber mountings are o.k. If these check out to be o.k and no improvment then your alternator is more than likely goosed! Ian.
1470.3	Worn Brushes ?	SUBURB::GROOMN	The Renault 5 are innocent - OK !	`Mon Jun 17 1991 16:45`	8
	If I read you right, it's been getting worse over time. This sounds like an alternator problem. One of the most frequent causes of this are worn brushes. Replacements can be purchased for about 4 pounds and take about 1/2 hour to fit (can be a bit fiddly). Most garages will replace the entire alternator, not particularly economic........ Nev.
1470.4	Take it to FK Autos	SQGUK::GRUBB		`Mon Jun 17 1991 17:06`	16
1470.5	thanks	YUPPY::MCINTYRE		`Mon Jun 17 1991 19:23`	9
	thanks muchly...the fan belt is ok but the mountings will get the once over tonight...otherwise I guess it's time to get the alternator checked.. thanks tom
1470.6		SHIPS::ALFORD_J	an elephant is a mouse with an oper. sys.	`Mon Jun 17 1991 21:02`	13
1470.7		HUGS::AND_KISSES	Scott Marshall	`Mon Jun 17 1991 21:30`	4
	re .6: Most Fords have the regulator integral with the alternator... Leaky water-works can also damage the alternator... well, it did in my case! Scott
1470.8	Same problem on a VW Scirocco !.	KERNEL::BAYLISD	I know pigs exist, therefore...	`Tue Jun 18 1991 16:46`	19
	I've got a similar problem on my VW Scirocco GTI. I've checked all the obvious bits and pieces like Fan Belt, mountings, etc but it still persists. I've also noticed that a little black thing under the fuse box (relay thingy i think) gets rather warm when driving around. I've done the obvious like take it out, put it back, take it out again and make sure everything's nice and clean, put it back, etc. There's no indication of the battery being flat at all and if the warning light is quite bright I can make it almost go out completly by turning the indicators on. I'm thinking along the lines of dodgy connections somewhere but I haven't got around to checking this out yet. Any ideas ? Dave.
1470.9		DCC::HAGARTY	Essen, Trinken und Shaggen...	`Tue Jun 18 1991 19:57`	3
1470.10	Bodgy fuse-box?	NEWOA::SUTTON	Ban whaling	`Mon Jun 24 1991 16:29`	4
	Bodgy connections at the fuse box for the instrument cluster sort of region can produce a nice red light with the battery sign on it. Worth a check.
1470.11	earth strap	ESSB::DOODY		`Wed Aug 28 1991 18:50`	3
	Could it be a slightly loose earth <--> engine strap??? Is the starter lazy ???