Hi All
I would really appreciate some advice, last night while driving home my battery light started to flicker and my headlights went really dull then bright again all the way home.
When i got home i stopped the car then started it again and it started no problem so i must be getting some charge through to the battery.
I checked the battery today with a voltage meter and with all the electrics on i was getting readings between 11.6 - 13.2 and with all the electrics off i was getting about 13.0 - 13.7 =. the light flickers away all the time and it dosen't make any difference whether your not using any electrics or you have everything on.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance,
escortgti
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That voltage sounds a bit low to me. Anyway, check the connections on the battery and the clamps. Give them a good clean so they are bright and shiny, then find where the earthing point is, take that off and give that a good clean. Cover the terminals with grease, whilst your cleaning the connections I'd stick the battery on charge, wont do any harm.
Also, check the alternator belt, make sure its correctly tightened and in good condition. Then take it for a test run. If it still plays up then it might well be the alternator playing up.
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Thnks for the reply j1mbo i should of mentioned in my post i took the battery off and topped the water up and cleaned the battery terminals up and put a dab of grease on.
I also checked the belt tension which seems fine to me and i cant hear any sign of it slipping both the battery and the alternator is original, i put the battery on charge for a couple of hours and then took it back out for a drive and the light is still flickering away.
I had an alternator pack up on me on one of my old cars and the battery light came on solid then it died shortly after thats why i wasn't sure about the flickering.
I had a look at the connection to the alternator and the wires seem solid but i coudn't see if they were corroded as its pretty tight where the alternator is situated.
this all started while driving home while using quite a lot of electrics i had the lights, heated rear screen and air con to try and demist my car as was driving home really slow on snowy roads, could this just be a sign that my alternators had it?
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I think you've answered your own question, the only other thing left is the alternator but DO check the connection to the bodywork. I'd also replace the battery as its getting on a bit.
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Take a look at the wiring to the starter motor.This is where the main alternator power is picked up from.These Escorts can often suffer corrosion on the 13mm terminal nut/post and give the problems you have.Failing this then the alternator could be in trouble.Also check the thin wire to the alternator where it runs along the lower front panel to see if it has shorted out to body/earth.hth
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Thanks very much for all your replys i will check out all the wiring and earths tomorrow, im hoping that is the cause as that will definatley be the cheaper solution,
failing that then it looks like time for a new batt and alternator, im not looking forward to crawling about under my car in this weather..lol
cheers guys
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