KA battery warning light /loss of performance
 

Hi,

Hoping someone can shed some light onto my battery light issue please...
A few months ago the car was running fine and then the battery warning light came on randomly one day. I've had the battery and alternator checked by a mechanic. The battery was giving out 14.2V of power suggesting that there isn't anything wrong with the alternator. The mechanic said that its probably just a faulty sensor and not to worry too much about it as it is a common fault and doesn't affect the mechanics of the car. However, I feel as if the car has lost power over the last few weeks and doesn't accelerate as fast as it used to. The car is a 2005 1.3i model and has done 17,000 miles. It's never been serviced but I've had the spark plugs checked and they're fine. What I was wondering is a) is the loss of performance likely to be due to the need for a service rather than a battery issue? and b) I've heard that you can get sensor repair kits, where would I get this from as the battery light being on is driving me crazy!

Thanks :)

I'd suggest starting by giving it a service, 17000 miles is pushing it, but that's also coming up for 8 years without an oil change/brake check over. That's not good at all.

Faulty sensors produce a fault code that can be read with a scanner.
You're mechanic sounds a bit amateuristic, I am afraid.
Some sensor faults can destroy the (expensive) catalyst, I would worry about that.

Thanks, I'll have it serviced this week. Any ideas on how to fix faulty sensors? I heard that you can get a repair kit from ford but have no idea what part number etc

Thanks :)

All cars should be serviced once a year regardless of mileage so yes I think that is definitely a contributing factor. The oil has probably turned to a nice brown sludge in that time so definitely get a full service done ASAP and go from there!

Everybody usually replaces defective sensors.
The repair kit you mention could be for fixing connectors and wiring.
Never heard of a repair kit for sensors.

It needs a service ASAP, it can be done in 30 mins with very basic tools.


Poor Ka.

getting serviced tomorrow. The repair kit I mentioned earlier are for the alternator diodes, any idea where I'd get one of those? Possibly give ford a call?

Thanks :)

Ka has a smart charge system

Now when the smart charge gets a fault the alternator reverts back to a normal alternator and charges at 14v and the light will illuminate

That means there is poss wiring or multiplug fault usually on the blue signal wire

Also Ka suffered from water ingress into the main wiring loom to the ecu

I changed about 15 looms when I worked for fords in 2003-2004

I'd say check wiring across front of car to alternator for breaks or corrosion

service all done. The car is running much smoother and is much more responsive - back to the drive quality I remember!
Now, the battery warning light....
A quick look at the wiring to the alternator - noticed a wire wasn't connected! No idea how I hadn't noticed this before (I'm guessing its just been working its way loose over the last few month which would also explain why the battery light was flickering to start with before coming on permanently). Anyway, reconnected the wire and hooked the battery back up - hallelujah! No battery warning light!
I'll keep an eye on it and come back for further advice if anything else happens, thanks for your advice everyone!

:)