1994 Ford Escort altenator

JROCK1223

MEMBER
1994 FORD ESCORT
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
185,000 MILES

Hello, I bought this car used, upon driving it home it died on the interstate. It runs great, but the battery keeps dieing, I bought a used altenator that bench tested fine, put another battery that also tested fine and drove it ten or so miles, after I cut the car off it would not restart till I got another jump.I put on a new drive belt and still the same problem. Could it still be my altenator?

Sunday, February 24th, 2008 AT 2:25 PM

2 Replies

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

Is the charge indicator on when the car is running? Does it come on with the key on engine off? Hook up a voltmeter to the battery, you want to see 13.8-15volts. Check the condition of both cables, at both ends. Remove neg(-) cable first, and put it on last.
Check the underhood fuses in the power distribution center.

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Sunday, February 24th, 2008 AT 2:31 PM

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

From: jrock1223
To: merlin2021
Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 3:45 pm
Subject: follow up
where would I see a charge indicator light? The cables were wedged with a nail, but it runs fine when jumped, at least for a while. I have no access to a voltometer but I have a test light. Does that help? Just because the altenator passed a bench test can it still be bad?
Answer to PM:
If cables are NAILED on, a carpenter must have owned this one eh? Please do me and you a big favor, lets change the cable(s) that are nailed on.

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Sunday, February 24th, 2008 AT 2:50 PM