When at idle, If i turn my heater fan on my engine starts to die if i add my headlights it cuts out. But if i disconnect the alternator plug i can turn everything on in the car and the revs dont move. I fitted another alternator and it still keeps trying to drop about 500-750 rpm but doesnt stall. Have i got two crap alternators or is it something else?? PLEASE HELP

 

I take it u've checked the battery and lead's

 

Battery is fine, cant see any damaged or unconnected wires anywhere either, any ideas??

 

not sure if its the same on the XR3 but on the mk6 escort there is a blue wire that connects to the alternator and it runs along side the positive wire that goes to the alternator, I have seen that melt into the blue one 3 times now one 3 diffrent cars causing it to short out.

Otherwise you might just have another broken alternator.

 

An interesting one!

I had a similar problem with the cabriolet in the early days after its Turbo conversion, with headlights etc on, when the cooling fan started cutting in and out at idle it would slowly try to stall the engine when it surged on initial turn on, until it did infact stall the engine.

Obviouosly when you turn things on you create a load on the alternator, mine turned out to be a significant air leak which meant when the engine had load on it at idle, it couldnt cope and would cut out.

Presumably your car is MFI?

 

I would check the CO !!
tabetha