2002 Focus Voltage problem

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John - 11 Dec 2008 01:55 GMT

2002 Focus, battery light intermittently coming on. I've checked the voltage
at the battery while the light is on at it is 14.5V. Light usually goes out
so I just lived with it. This morning the headlights, blower motor all
dimmed very low for about 3 seconds then light up normal for another 5
seconds than back down and so on. I was late for work so I didn't measure
voltage again. The alternator is less than one year old as the old one
failed (9 volts output and constant battery light lit) the battery is new.
Connections are clean and tight. Any suggestions?

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Michael Pardee - 11 Dec 2008 04:42 GMT

> 2002 Focus, battery light intermittently coming on. I've checked the
> voltage at the battery while the light is on at it is 14.5V. Light usually
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> the old one failed (9 volts output and constant battery light lit) the
> battery is new. Connections are clean and tight. Any suggestions?

People familiar with me will say I sound like a broken record, but check the
engine ground. It isn't very common, but I've seen bad engine grounds in
about half a dozen cars and it always produced weird symptoms. Not
necessarily your problem, but easy enough to check. Be sure to try to wiggle
the connections; most bad ones I've seen were just loose.

Mike

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Tim.. - 13 Dec 2008 11:49 GMT

Check the 3 small alternator wires about 2-4 inches up from the alternator-
they often break and the unit reverts to non-smart charge mode..

tim.

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