Hi got a problem with my fiesta 2003 1.4 tdci zetec.
just happened recently and no work has been done on the car,the battery light is on all the time when the ignition is on and whilst driving.
Nothing has been left turned on.
next morning battery is as flat as a pancake (3 volts)
re-charged battery overnight and left to stand for 12 hours voltage check was 12.4 volts.
When fitted to the car and engine is running the voltage is 14.5 volts
yet the battery light is still on and the battery is flat again next morning.
Any ideas would be great
Cheers

 

Sounds as though it may be a faulty battery and it can not hold the charge, could also be faulty alternator as if a diode or other component fails inside they can drain the battery without ignition being on, although your battery is getting a healthy reading.

Martin

 

Hi martin,
The battery after charging was ok and also when left to stand over night.
I have tried a drain test by removing the earth wire and the only thing that made a difference was when i disconnected the alternator.
Also when i put my test meter on the alternator live connector and the earth (chasis) with the live wire disconnected and the battery both wires disconnected i get a reading of 200 when testing resistance.
Which does not seem right to me.

 

think that age fiesta is fitted with a smart charging system which is quite complicated,
look for ford smart charging system on google to understand a little more about it, and testing methods.

http://www.petercoopercarrepairs.co....t_charging.htm

there is a little breif information about the focus system, being ford i would imagine is not dis-similar to the fiesta?

hope this helps

 

It's the rectifier side of the alternator that has packed up, not uncommon, this can easily drain your battery within an hour if bad enough.
tabetha

 

Tabetha
Is that definately the problem then as a new alternator will cost me approx Ł200 (a bit steep) with Ł50 quid refund when i return the old unit.
But have not been able to source any reconditioned units yet.
I just wanna be sure before i fork out that kinda dosh
Cheers

 

i'd say alternator is knackered (diode pack/rectifier, so charges and discharges the battery when faulty every cycle) and possibly the battery is guff too.
recon alternator should be around Ł50, don't bother buying brand new what's the point recon is as new.

 

xr2wishy

best price i have found a Recon for my model is Ł180 and cannot find anyone who has one in stock.

 

Recon should be around the Ł60 mark for yours, alternatively do it yourself, easy one to do on these, hardest part is taking off!!
Pm me your exact car details and I'll see what I can get it for.
The only sure fire way of ruling this out is to disconnect it all the time and see if it stops doing it, but a bit impractical esp on your car.
tabetha

 

Thanks for the info guys.
got it sorted

Tabetha
Had to get it in a hurry and no scrapyards by me had any. so i ended up paying Ł175 for a brand new one. or local carparts shop had a recon one for Ł180. but thanks anyway

 

A great*exchange of information.