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Battery Light on and flickers

Tiny
ISKIGORDON
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 FORD ESCAPE
Electrical problem 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic 109000 miles

The Battery light comes on after starting when you depress the accelerator. It is off on idling. I had the battery tested at Advance Auto Parts and it shows 494 CCA. Starter Test was cranking normal. Charging system test show Excessive Ripple but is charging at 13.84 v, 3.2 a. Any ideas. Is the alternator going bad?
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 AT 8:28 PM

38 Replies

Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello

This guide will help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Advance Auto parts should be able to tell you if your alternator was putting out steady and if bad. If they are not sure then go to Auto Zone (AZ) or O'Reilly's (OR) and for FREE they can bring their tester out and check your battery and alternator.

If the alternator checks good then it may be your belt tensioner is not keeping proper tension as the spring may be weak.
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 AT 9:25 PM
Tiny
ISKIGORDON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks for the advise. I took the truck to a repair shop who identified that the alternater was defective. This was replaced and all is well now.
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Monday, January 4th, 2010 AT 6:28 PM
Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello

I am glad your vehicle is fixed. Thanks for the update
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Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 AT 7:45 PM
Tiny
IMPALASS
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,112 POSTS
Hello

Also, it looks like you may have some recalls on your vehicle. The dealer may fix these for free. Please contact the dealer service department, give them the VIN number of your car and have them check on these to see if they apply to you.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/248015_Recall_Escape_1.jpg



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Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 AT 7:48 PM
Tiny
LARY_93446
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Ford dealership condemned the battery, replaced no change
Mechanic shop condemned the alternator, replaced no change
Replaced harness from alternator, no more flickering light
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Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 AT 1:38 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,878 POSTS
Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 AT 3:59 PM
Tiny
BIGKENNYP
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 FORD ESCAPE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 109,000 MILES
Electrical problem
2002 Ford Escape 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 109000 miles

Battery light comes on and off, had battery and alternator checked and they both checked out fine. What else you it be?
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Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 AT 4:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
It checked out fine because you weren't testing is while the problem was present. You likely have a bad alternator but it can only be confirmed if tested during the failure.
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Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 AT 4:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BIGKENNYP
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yep, it was the alternator, had a buddy who is a mechanic hook it up and drive it around, voltage was dropping on the alternator when the light came on. Thanks for the quick reply.
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Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 AT 4:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
Your welcome,
Positive feedback is always appreciated
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Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 AT 4:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ATAIMOORE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 FORD ESCAPE
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 89,000 MILES
Computer problem
2004 Ford Escape 6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic 89,000 miles

Hi,

My battery warning light came on so I bought a new battery and hooked it up. After hooking it up, the warning light still came on. So I reconnected the old battery and tested it and the old battery is fine. The old battery is also receiving the necessary charge from the alternator. Is there any way I can reset this battery warning light? Do you think there is something else wrong? Thank you for the help.

Andrew
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Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 AT 4:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Check fuses
Check charging system and suspect alternator

*****************************************
need manual CHECK IT @
https://www.2carpros.com/kpages/auto_repair_manuals.htm
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Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 AT 4:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JOHN WOLINSK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 FORD ESCAPE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 132,095 MILES
Electrical problem
2001 Ford Escape 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 132095 miles

The car in the last couple of years, has went thru two alternators. We had the car checked out by Ford dealer after it stopped running and they replaced the battery and cable ends. They put it on their tester and everything seems to be ok but when we got home after the 75 mile drive the battery light came back on. Is there something else we should be looking for?
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Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 AT 4:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Hi
Ford issued TSB # 01-20-2 on Oct. 15,2001 for a similar issue. They recomend replasing the 320 watt cooling fans with two 220 Watt fans. Does your problem occure in warm weather with AC on? If yes ask dealer to check out TSB may fix under warranty.
Hope this helps
Thanks for donate
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Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 AT 4:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
THEBEIRDS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 FORD ESCAPE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 185,000 MILES
Electrical problem
2001 Ford Escape 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 185000 miles

I have a 2001 Ford Escape. The altanator went out in October of 2007. We changed it, and it went out again on January 25, 2008. My husband changed it on the 26th. The battery light came on as soon as he started the truck, and has come on and off since then. What is the problem?
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Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 AT 4:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
Not uncommon to run into multiple alternator failures especially on partucilar brands. Some rebuilder's continue making the same mistake. If the alternator is not charging right, go to a different brand. I like the napa premium alternator myself.
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Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 AT 4:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BOWIETERP
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 FORD ESCAPE
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 245 MILES
It has been 100+degrees here the last 3 days. My battery light has come on and off. The car stalled a few times but has continued to run and start. The radio or lights have not gone out or dimmed. I just had a new battery and alternator installed in February.
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Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 AT 4:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
The first thing you need to do is have the battery and alternator tested even though you recently replaced them. Also make sure your battery cables are clean and tight. Let me know what you find.
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Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 AT 4:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MLWENZEL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 FORD ESCAPE
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 106,000 MILES
The battery Light stays on all the time on our 2001 Ford Escape. Even though we replaced the battery with a new battery. The light just stays on
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Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 AT 4:01 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,737 POSTS
The battery warning light has nothing to do with the battery. It means the generator is not recharging the battery after starting the engine. Use an inexpensive digital voltmeter to measure battery voltage while the engine is running. It must be between 13.75 and 14.75 volts. If it is low, have the generator tested.
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Thursday, August 3rd, 2017 AT 4:01 PM (Merged)

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