Charging Issues with the POScort.

[Outrun]

I am having a charging issue with my Escort. When the timing belt snapped, I pulled the battery cables and at that time I noticed that they were full of caked on battery corrosion. It was on there so thick I had to use a knife to scrape it off. I tried using that battery corrosion eater stuff in the can, and that didn’t do shit. After the belt was replaced, the battery light would come on periodically. Within the past 3 weeks, it comes on when I am coming to a stop, then turns off when I take off. I took it to checker to have them bench test it twice. My battery is putting out 500 cold cranking amps, and tested at over 12 volts. Then my alternator was tested and was putting out 14 volts. So I took my digital volt meter and plugged that in, and monitor my car whilst driving. It is always at 13.5-14.2 volts when the car is running, but now, my battery light stays on all the time. I know that before when an alternator was going out and I had my digital meter, it was pulling 11.0 volts and I knew it was shot, but now, I am thinking there is something throwing the battery light to come on. But, it looks like the battery and alternator are fine (the battery is at over 12 volts). So I called Ford today to see if they had the cables so I could replace them because they are not regular cables, but a fuckload of assorted wires for the negative and positive side. They want 400 bucks. No thanks. So the counter guy said to soak the terminals in baking soda and water. I am thinking that the corrosion got into the cables by the terminals and is causing the light to come on. I was going to mix the right amount of water and soda in a glass and take each cable off and let it soak in that solution. Good idea, or bad idea? Obviously I won’t let them touch.

[MisterCMK]

Check the alternator field fuse

[EFI Performance]

What year Escort with what engine? Most likely your alternator is failing. Even with the 14 volts of charging power. Most likely one of the diode's in the stator pack is bad allowing it to charge fine at lower voltage draws. If you were to full field it I would probley give out about 60 - 70% of the amp ratings on the case. Which is why the light is on. You could continue to drive it, knowing this concern but I would probley replace it.

[Outrun]

It’s a 1995. I am pretty sure the alternator has 76,000 on it, and it wouldn’t surprise me if it may be on it’s way out. If the battery corrosion is not the cause, I’m going to swap out the alternator this weekend.

[MINNESOTA 5.0]

the little grey wire plug on alternator is probably a loose connection and causing the light to come on.

very common on fords.

[Outrun]

I did the baking soda thing and it did take the corrosion off and now the voltage has gone up to 14.1-14.2 now instead of 13.5-14.0. But the light is still on. I'll check that wire to see if it's loose. If everything looks good, I'm going to replace the alternator this weekend.

[Chrm97PI]

check the resistance between the power wire between the alt and the bat, that will tell you if your wires are the problem, resistance should be around .5 ohm or so

[eatonranger]

Check the alternator field fuse

I had the same problem on my 93 scort. I removed the fuse turned the car to on and it fixeds itself. Don't ask me how it fixed itself but it did.

[MadMatt]

Replace the battery, cables , belt and alternator. If it has one of those gay Mega fuses replace that too.

[MINNESOTA 5.0]

just buy a new car

[MadMatt]

then if that still doesnt work replace the car

[Outrun]

Pulled the alternator. Went to neighbors to look for a misc bolt, told him of the problem. Told me that it is most likely the ground wire on the alt that has come loose. Put the alt back in, started car, my dad pushed and pulled on the wire. Light went on, then off, then on. The plug was fucked up from being old/pile of shit etc. Snipped it off, stripped the wire, put on a spade connector, put that on the alt, turned car on. No more battery light.

I just saved a shitload of money by not replacing the alt, and yes, I did stay at a holiday inn last night.

[MINNESOTA 5.0]

told ya.

congrats

[Outrun]

told ya.

congrats

Good call. It further resotres my confidence in Fords. I don't care what people say about Fords, I've had many, and not a single one has screwed me over by being a Lemon.

[MadMatt]

told ya.

congrats

Ford reliabilty > GM. Ford has gotten alot better since the mid 90s in that dept