xr3i_kev

hi guys got a 58 plate ford focus 1.8 tdci
started the car in the morning drove round to the shop after an hour
came out couldnt even open the door with the fob the battery was
that dead got my mate round with his range rover jump leads on
was only getting 8 volts with jump leads on and range rover running
got battery lights on dash but wouldnt even turn over after ten minutes
on the jump leads the range rover cut out the battery on it had been drained down due to the drain on the focus
got a new battery fitted it and as i connected it within 30 seconds
there was a burning smell and the whole casing on the alternator
was scalding hot that it melted 2 wires that were on top of the alternator
could this be somthing shorting out in side the alternator causing this ?
has anyone had similar problems like this ?
dont want to be forking out for a new alternator and find it to be something else
as forked out £105 for a battery already
any help appreciated thanks kev.

wagon dec

I have seen that type of failure in for alternators alright but I would check all the associated wiring first

xr3i_kev

checked all wiring right back from alternator to starter then to battery all
perfect only the wire that was sitting on top of the alternator had melted due
to the heat .
anyone know if its easy enough to change the alternator as it has a long shaft connected to it i have changed many alternators before but have never came across one like this when looking at images online of the alternator i assume
i remove the 3 bolts on the shaft to separate then remove the usual bracket bolts etc ?

GVK.

Yeah, the drive shaft comes off first then alternator as usual.

Sounds like an internal dead short on the alternator.

wagon dec

at the pulley end of the drive shaft to the alternator the is 3 bolts remove them then at the alternator end of the shaft there are 3 8mm bolts open them 2-3 turns and slide the shaft toward the chassis leg then remove alternator as normal

xr3i_kev

thanks for your help guys much appreciated cheers

wagon dec

no hassle

Danial Carter

I had the same problem after I changed the alternator the central locking clicks continuously. I have had to remove the drivers door locking module fuse to stop it. Does anyone no what the problem might be