Battery light stays on
Discussion
Does the light stay on when the car is turned off? Is your oil pressure light also staying on or just the battery light?
If it is just the battery light that stays on, it could be a faulty connector inside of the three-wire connector piece on the alternator. The first thing you should do is check that connector. You should also check that your battery is still good.
Check your alternator wires for signs of heat damage. If the battery and or oil pressure light stays on, this is commonly caused by melted alternator wires. You would need to replace them, and be sure to re-route them farther from the turbo and exhaust manifold, and use heat shielding. If you're replacing the wires, it's a good idea to check that the alternator is working properly.
If it is just the battery light that stays on, it could be a faulty connector inside of the three-wire connector piece on the alternator. The first thing you should do is check that connector. You should also check that your battery is still good.
Check your alternator wires for signs of heat damage. If the battery and or oil pressure light stays on, this is commonly caused by melted alternator wires. You would need to replace them, and be sure to re-route them farther from the turbo and exhaust manifold, and use heat shielding. If you're replacing the wires, it's a good idea to check that the alternator is working properly.
Hi,
Thanks for the quick reply.
It comes on when you turn the ignition on as normal but stays on whilst the car is running and its only the battery light.
I have had a battery optimate charger connected whilst its in the garage and noticed it doesnt seem to be charging it up properly as its saying the battery is quite low.
I took it out this evening with the lights on and thats when the light problem started.
I havent checked the wiring as yet, would it be worth charging the battery up first on a proper charger then trying it back on the optimate. failing that a new battery, i dont think its that old.
Thanks for the quick reply.
It comes on when you turn the ignition on as normal but stays on whilst the car is running and its only the battery light.
I have had a battery optimate charger connected whilst its in the garage and noticed it doesnt seem to be charging it up properly as its saying the battery is quite low.
I took it out this evening with the lights on and thats when the light problem started.
I havent checked the wiring as yet, would it be worth charging the battery up first on a proper charger then trying it back on the optimate. failing that a new battery, i dont think its that old.
If the light is on with the car running, then the problem you're having is a little different from what I thought. Sounds more like a bad battery or bad alternator.
Get the battery fully charged or buy a new one, and then see what happens. If the battery is near dead, a battery tender won't work, you need an actual charger. I've heard the batteries in these cars normally last about 5 yrs.
Get the battery fully charged or buy a new one, and then see what happens. If the battery is near dead, a battery tender won't work, you need an actual charger. I've heard the batteries in these cars normally last about 5 yrs.
If the battery is an Optima Red Top, some chargers won't work properly if the battery has been drained below around 10.5 volts. You either have to use an AGM-specific battery charger (like the CTek), or hook the battery up in parallel with a good charged battery and your battery charger. When the battery goes above 10.5 volts, you can disconnect the good battery and let your battery charger bring the dead battery up to full voltage.
However, my guess is that the problem is a bad alternator, or possibly bad alternator wiring...
However, my guess is that the problem is a bad alternator, or possibly bad alternator wiring...
simonx50 said:
I checked the wiring thats seems ok, the battery was reading just under 12 volts its now fully charged but light is still on.
I think its proberly a faulty alternator any ideas where to get one would it be a ford part?
Simon
Noble parts says it should be Valeo VA 423.I think its proberly a faulty alternator any ideas where to get one would it be a ford part?
Simon
This guy had a similar problem
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=875...
Edited by swampy56 on Sunday 6th February 10:54
Cool will proberbly get my self a new alternator
Jim O. said:
If the battery is an Optima Red Top, some chargers won't work properly if the battery has been drained below around 10.5 volts. You either have to use an AGM-specific battery charger (like the CTek), or hook the battery up in parallel with a good charged battery and your battery charger. When the battery goes above 10.5 volts, you can disconnect the good battery and let your battery charger bring the dead battery up to full voltage.
However, my guess is that the problem is a bad alternator, or possibly bad alternator wiring...
However, my guess is that the problem is a bad alternator, or possibly bad alternator wiring...
Thanks i will be an expert on alternators soon
swampy56 said:
Noble parts says it should be Valeo VA 423.
This guy had a similar problem
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=875...
This guy had a similar problem
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=875...
Edited by swampy56 on Sunday 6th February 10:54
What a job that was getting off, now i know why im a carpenter and not a mechanic... had to remove battery to get it out, luckily i had an impact driver to undo the retaining bolts as one of them was a bit of job to reach. gonna get it reconditioned then refit hopefully it will go back in.
simonx50 said:
took alternator off and had it overhauled cost £60 for new regulator pack,
fitted back to car and still lights stays on.
Has got a 12v supply from battery, next job is to strip back all the wires and check to see if they have any heat damage.
It was a mission to remove as battery had to come out to gain any access.
I'm going to get an auto electrician to take a look as its starting to annoy me!
While i was under there i noticed the front manifold was cracked also which is going to be another pain to to get off.
fitted back to car and still lights stays on.
Has got a 12v supply from battery, next job is to strip back all the wires and check to see if they have any heat damage.
It was a mission to remove as battery had to come out to gain any access.
I'm going to get an auto electrician to take a look as its starting to annoy me!
While i was under there i noticed the front manifold was cracked also which is going to be another pain to to get off.
All fixed now.... turned out to be a damaged wire somewhere along the tunnel. had a new wire run through from the dash to the alternator all works fine.
was hard work to release the centre from the dash to gain access but all back together now
was hard work to release the centre from the dash to gain access but all back together now
simonx50 said:
took alternator off and had it overhauled cost £60 for new regulator pack,
fitted back to car and still lights stays on.
Has got a 12v supply from battery, next job is to strip back all the wires and check to see if they have any heat damage.
It was a mission to remove as battery had to come out to gain any access.
I'm going to get an auto electrician to take a look as its starting to annoy me!
While i was under there i noticed the front manifold was cracked also which is going to be another pain to to get off.
fitted back to car and still lights stays on.
Has got a 12v supply from battery, next job is to strip back all the wires and check to see if they have any heat damage.
It was a mission to remove as battery had to come out to gain any access.
I'm going to get an auto electrician to take a look as its starting to annoy me!
While i was under there i noticed the front manifold was cracked also which is going to be another pain to to get off.
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