Hi
I've got a 2002 Mark V Ford Fiesta, 1.6L, 16V Duratec engine. I had the battery warning light come on during a long journey, with the net result that the electrics cut out on me on the road (yeah, I know, I should have called out the RAC when I first saw it, you learn something every day
A nice man form the RAC measured the voltage across the battery terminals and said that the level was quite erratic, but it was showing around 14.9V, which was apparently too high. To cut a long story short, he disconnected a lead from the alternator to bring the voltage levels down, enabling me to get back home (albeit with the battery warning light still on).
Having done a bit of research, I think he removed the 'smart charge' lead, which meant that the alternator was using its internal regulation rather than being controlled by the ECU - does this sound correct?
I took it to a local garage and they fitted a new regulator. The battery voltage is now within normal range, but the battery warning light is still permanently on They have checked the fuses and checked the wiring, but can't find a problem. They tried a hardware diagnostic thingie but it didn't return any errors.
Can anyone shed any light on this? Would I be better off taking it to a Ford garage? I don't use the car heavily, but I do have to go somewhere this Friday
--Jon
I've got a 2002 Mark V Ford Fiesta, 1.6L, 16V Duratec engine. I had the battery warning light come on during a long journey, with the net result that the electrics cut out on me on the road (yeah, I know, I should have called out the RAC when I first saw it, you learn something every day
A nice man form the RAC measured the voltage across the battery terminals and said that the level was quite erratic, but it was showing around 14.9V, which was apparently too high. To cut a long story short, he disconnected a lead from the alternator to bring the voltage levels down, enabling me to get back home (albeit with the battery warning light still on).
Having done a bit of research, I think he removed the 'smart charge' lead, which meant that the alternator was using its internal regulation rather than being controlled by the ECU - does this sound correct?
I took it to a local garage and they fitted a new regulator. The battery voltage is now within normal range, but the battery warning light is still permanently on
They have checked the fuses and checked the wiring, but can't find a problem. They tried a hardware diagnostic thingie but it didn't return any errors.Can anyone shed any light on this? Would I be better off taking it to a Ford garage? I don't use the car heavily, but I do have to go somewhere this Friday
--Jon
