Hi guys,

Took my fiesta rs turbo out last night after a week of it sitting and the rev counter isnt working, however the speedo is working flawlessly. Now then, the battery light is on constantly but is very dim. Whenever i brake it goes bright. If i brake my front heated windscreen button light goes out, if i let go it comes back on....

None of the other dash lights work but the actually lights and brakes work fine.

Any ideas???

Thanks

 

Sounds like an earth problem, haved you had anything apart lately?
Rich

 

As said an earth problem, have you checked the battery earth connection is good, also the engine earth strap?

Martin

 

You need to sort the charging "problem" out first, as doesn't matter how good earth's are, still no joy unless power there to start with from a decently charged battery.
tabetha

 

I believe the charging problem to be caused by the earthing problem.

Martin

 

right,

quick update, when i start the car in the morning or after about 10mins of it being off the battery light is no longer on. However, if i put my foot down hard the battery light then comes on and stays on.

 

battery light coming on meand that the altonator is not charging.
if it comes on dim there is a big draw of energy, ie lights, heater, stereo, demister.

 

Again as said above - check all earth connections and the main battery terminals at the battery end and the starter end. They can cause all sorts of lights coming on and off.

Alternator might not be charging the battery due to a dirty/loose connection.

My advice (before rushing out and buying a new alternator or battery...) is to pull off each main connection from battery/body/starter/alternator rough em up with a bit of sandpaper so that they are shiny again (rather than a dull grey colour) apply some vaseline sparingly to both the crimp and where its bolting to - to ensure a good connection and help against future corrosion. Vasoline is a pretty good electrical conductor and keeps moisture out.

The small earth connection in the boot came loose on my orion and cause all sorts of weird stuff. If I put the indicators on, the fog light switch would flash and at the rear end the sidelights would flash intermittantly along with the indicator bulbs. Pressing the brake also made the fog light switch illuminate.