2014 Ford Ka dim cluster lights

[stumpyvtec]

Good Morning all

My other half has a 2014 Ford KA. this morning after the car started up, the battery light and another light were illuminated but very dimly. when the ignition is on the lights are bright and once the engine fires up its remains but very slightly. has anyone come across this before?

Thanks

[eybic]

The sign of a failing Alternator/ battery, essentially the light comes on when the correct voltage isn't being reached, the brighter it is, the further away from "normal" it is.

[E-bmw]

Couple of checks to do if you can beg/borrow/already have a digital multimeter.

Check battery voltage at standstill, should be over 12.5 volts.

Check again with engine running at normal/fast idle, should be up at more than 14 volts at fast idle.

[stumpyvtec]

it had a new battery 2 weeks ago, replaced with correct type as its very important apparently.
i checked the voltage on idle and it was 13.8 on idle and 14.1 on fast idle.
although the stop/start hasnt worked since about 5 weeks ago. could they be related?

[eybic]

Stop/ start not working is normal ish with low ambient temps but it would also not work if the battery wasn't right.

When did you check the voltages? Just now or when the new battery was fitted?

[stumpyvtec]

aAh ok, that may explain the stop/start issues

It was replaced with an AGM 027 battery. the same type that came out of it.
I checked the voltages both pre and post battery change. and checked it with high loads ( all lights, heated screen and blower on) and the voltage dropped to 13.6 then recovered to 13.9. so i can assume the alternator is ok, so the dim light could either be faulty wiring or potentially a new dash binnacle as these are related to the Fiat 500 i believe and they suffer tfrom dash faults with similar symptoms. Just wish i was more electrically minded

Edited by stumpyvtec on Friday 15th February 12:14

[stumpyvtec]

morning all

just checked the car over again and the battery light and immobiliser light, ( car with a padlock) light are the illuminated lights. alternators charging at 14.2 when running and when fully loaded ( lights, heated screens and fans) its charging at 12.8 with no revs and 14.1 with revs.

Dowes this sound like alternator?

also i have noticed the 2 dim lights go off after 10 secs with the centre display, and when a door is opened and the centre display lights up, so do the 2 dim lights mentioned.

Can anyone share some info they may have on a potential fault or pint me in the right direction?

Many Thanks

[GreenV8S]

I don't know how the immob lamp is connected but the no-charge warning is typically connected between the ignition switch run output and the alternator field - the alternator main power output should be tied to the battery. If the no-charge warning is illuminating it suggests the alternator output is higher or lower that the switched ignition supply.

That could be because the alternator is over- or under-voltage, but the readings you took seem reasonable to me. The fact the lamps illuminate when you open the door makes me suspect the ignition switched voltage is dipping, because the door switches are probably fed from that supply. I suggest you compare the voltage of the ignition switch run output carefully against the alternator and battery voltages. Remember to use the battery ground as the negative point for your readings.

[DaveGib]

stumpyvtec said:

morning all

just checked the car over again and the battery light and immobiliser light, ( car with a padlock) light are the illuminated lights. alternators charging at 14.2 when running and when fully loaded ( lights, heated screens and fans) its charging at 12.8 with no revs and 14.1 with revs.

Dowes this sound like alternator

Many Thanks

No the alternator sounds fine. With it having stop start fitted and the AGM/EFB battery (which ever it was you said) the charging system fitted is called smart charging and does not charge at a steady voltage like a standard system. The voltage you measure will increase at the battery if you load up the system. For example head lamps, main beam, heated rear window, etc.

So 12.8V on idle on a healthy state of charge battery is acceptable.