Not Charging

NSENYK117

MEMBER
2012 FORD ESCAPE
2.5L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
212,000 MILES

-OBD II reads- Link Error, maybe the meter however and not the car. No engine light was on before the problem.

- New battery
- New alternator
- Dash battery light works

- Of the 3 wires that plug into the alternator, with it unplugged and car running read:
Purple- 11 volts
Blue/pink- 0 volts
Brown/red- 11 volts

Took alternator to auto parts store and bench tested good, not that it means much these days, cycled four times to pass.

Alternator voltage matches battery voltage if I check the alternator at a ground and its main voltage wire on the stud/nut.

If I try to excite the alternator and rev it up to 3/4000 RPMs for a few seconds, I see 13 or 14 volts for just a second then it goes back down, at no point did it hold and maintain 13.5 volts or more.

do I need a new PCM or alternator? What are the next best steps?

5 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
43,057 POSTS

I would run a CAN scan first to make sure a controller is not out. here is a guide and a video:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

Also, here is the alternator wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works in the diagrams below.

It looks like there are four wires. The red wire should have power all the time. please confirm.

Check out the diagrams (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Image (Click to make bigger)

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Wednesday, April 6th, 2022 AT 10:53 AM

NSENYK117

MEMBER
22 POSTS

The PCM will not link to my CAN or OBD scanner. Red wire does read battery voltage. Ran battery cable jumper wires between the alternator and battery, with it unplugged to the PCM. Saw 13 volts for a second, tried to rev up to 2,000 to 3,000 RPMs (excite) the alternator, only saw a steady 11 volts. Going to replace the new alternator that bench tested good. The number 6 fuse is hood and gets voltage.

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Thursday, April 7th, 2022 AT 3:20 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,310 POSTS

Hi,

I noticed you haven't been contacted for several days. I was wondering if you have made progress or if we can help in any way. We're interested in knowing.

Take care,

Joe

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Sunday, April 10th, 2022 AT 8:13 PM

NSENYK117

MEMBER
22 POSTS

I replaced the alternator with a Motorcraft, been charging 14 volts ever since. Problem solved. Thank you for your time.

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Thursday, April 14th, 2022 AT 5:52 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,310 POSTS

Hi,

Thank you for the update. It will likely help others in the future.

Please feel free to come back anytime in the future. You are always welcome here.

Take care,

Joe