Hi folks,

This is driving me insane, my 1989 mk4 escort / rs turbo, has recently stopped charging from startup and the vot gauge reads around 11 volts when running, however if you rev the car up to about 3k revs, it then suddenly starts to charge, sometimes at idle it will stop charging again, but not often. I bought a new battery and new alternator but still have the problem, is there any charging relays etc ?

Thanks

Paul

 

check all the earths to your engine, and that the charge rate is good at the alternator.

 

blue wire fella if the dash warning light is playing around as well

 

the dash warning light seems to be ok, but ill check the engine earth today when i get it back from mot

 

nope folks all looks good with wiring, all connections tights etc, going to add a extra earth strap tommorow to alternator and see if that helps

 

I would be looking for some major high resistances between the alternator and the battery, seems the alternator is having a hard time, unless the new one is duff ?
Even in the event that the ignition/charge warning light doesn't come on it is normal for the charge to start when revving to about 3K, BUT it should stay charging until it is next switched off, then upon restart 3K will get it charging again.
The bulb lights up by receiving a EARTH from the IND terminal on the alternator when the engine is NOT turning, starting the engine causes the alternator to start charging immediately, the IND terminal changes to LIVE, so putting the light out, as it needs a earth, but now has two lives.
tabetha

 

okay im going to check resistances on the cable, if i need to replace is it just a case of running a new live feed from the alternator to the battery?

 

also check the plug that goes into the back of dash/clocks!

 

hi there, im having a similar problem. when i was trying to solve a problem with the lights, the battery went flat. ive charged it, the car started then after 10 mins of so it died and the battery is that flat it wont turn over. also another thing that i initially ignored was the warning light for the battery. it would come on when the brakes were applied (stationary, trying to solve rear light issues) im hoping its a duff battery but could be alternator, what you reckon? also i noticed that just before it died i couldnt get the hazards to work, again testing the rear clusters. i still havent solved the lights yet but ive just got new carriers AND stalk. i have a feeling the connectors are tired though as there that loose i dont thing they go onto the prongs (bulb holder) sometimes.cheers

 

change the duff alternator first fella

 

Clearly if you charged the battery and it's died after being running a few minutes you need to be looking toward the battery!

How long did you charge it for? You need to see the amount of power it has in it, a fully charged battery will easily be 12.40V +, anything less than this isn't good!

The battery light needs to be working, if not charging won't commence as this is a critial part of the charging circuit, you can get it to charge by revving to around 3K RPM though!

Martin