Any ideas?

I've changed the battery as it seemed to make one battery die within a few months of not driving the car. Looked tonight in the dark and the battery light is on, not so much you can see through the day but at night clearly visible. The car is driving like a bit of a pig too and I remember years ago on my old XR2 the alternator made the car drive badly with juddering. Changed it and it was fine.

What's the most likely cause? Belt or do I need an new alternator?

Thanks for any advice

 

alternator shafted, buy an new one

 

The most likely cause is NOTHING WRONG.
I have noticed on all my fords that light creeps over into the next light very slightly, now try the same, WITHOUT your handbrake on.
The easy way to check thye alternator without a metre is to face a wall(the car) and rev the engine slightly each time the revs pick up there will be a small but disctinct increase in light brightness, other wise just measure with a multi metre if you have one.
If you look on the rear of the clocks where the bulbs go for the warning lights, you will see they are a VERY thin white section around each bulb, I did on one car paint these black inside the holder bit, and it stopped the small amount of light travel.
tabetha

 

Thanks, finally got round to buying a new alternator at Ford and fitted it today, light has definitely gone out now

Car still drives like a pig though