Hi all,

My Escorts battery light started to glow on the instrument panel a few weeks back and the volts (LCD meter I fitted to the dash) was showing it was steadily dropping to 11-12v at first to eventually less than 10v (the day after the battery was actually flat). I noticed the night before whilst driving that the volts would rise and the battery light dim as you accelerated. I assumed the battery wasn't holding charge and bought a new one. I have fitted this and the battery light is still on but dims as you accelerate but the voltage is still around 11-12v which is more like 11v with heaters and lights on etc. I know it should be more like 14v...

Would I be right in thinking that it is probably an alternator fault?

What is the easiest way of diagnosing if it is?

Cheers for any input,

Anthony.

 

Certainly sounds like the alternator. Check the belt hasn't broken/come off and also check the thin blue wire that comes off if the alternator for corrosion etc. If the blue wire isn't making a good contact the alternator will not charge.

 

I had the same problem a few years ago with my mk4, it turned out to be the alternator, after fitting a new one I've had no further problems. Ps the alternator I replaced was only 18 months old.