Battery light issues

[FRS owner]

Hi was wondering If anyone else has had the issues I'm currently experiencing with my rs. My battery light keeps coming on and going off it will sometimes stay on the whole time I drive it. I have replaced the alternator for a genuine ford and still have the problem I changed the battery and checked terminals to rule it out. Any one have any ideas what it could be?

[Clayton]

When you say you have checked all the terminals have you checked all the wiring for any breaks / chafing?

I have read many threads on this and if an alternator has been replaced and the battery is good the finger is pointed at a wiring problem. I also know of an owner here who replaced his earth wire due to breaking. BartFRS was this wire causing you any issues with the battery light?

[BartFRS]

I never had problems with battery light.
Had a bad connection in fusebox which was connected to ecu, therefor engine management light was on.

[FRS owner]

Thought wiring might be the case I didn't think it would be an earth problem as engine was replace not that long ago but I will defo check the earth points to rule it out. I have looked under the bonnet a number of times but can't see anything that stands out unless there is a problem with the wiring at the back of the engine? If its not one thing it's another it's driving me crazy!

[Clayton]

Sounds like if the engine has been out it could be a wiring issue.


Please keep us updated as would like to see your problem resolved and the answer to it.

[FRS owner]

Hoping it's going to be something simple. Do you know if the relays are known to go? I read something somewhere about a battery saver relay?

Will let you guys know what the problem is once I found it

[BartFRS]

When you start the car, do the dails sweep?

[FRS owner]

No the dials don't sweep. (I did notice that clocks were dimmer than they should be yesterday? ) Think I will have to get an auto electrician out to it and see what's going on

[Jay P]

Mine does it intermittently and has done for the past six and a half years I've had the car. Never lasts longer than 5 mins (ish) on mine though. If I look at the scangauge when it does it I see the volts drop down to around 12 then all of a sudden, as if by magic, up it goes to 14+ and battery light goes out. I've had everything checked and all is fine, alternator plug cleaned and repaired, new Exide battery etc and no change so I just leave it like that now. If you haven't got a scangauge then I'd suggest getting one and looking at that to see if the volts drop when your light comes on like mine does.

[FRS owner]

Oh really? Funny that there is not really an explanation for you light issue and glad that its not causing you any problems. When i first bought the car the light kept coming on but the car died turned out if was maf sensor. Then it was fine until recently the light is on more or less all the time at the min. I have found I have got a water leak now so I'm wondering if that isn't helping either? Sound like the scangauge is a sound investment and I think I will be getting one of those! when the light does come on you can hear like the power drop if that's the right words? It's one thing after another at the min and can't wait to get it right and enjoy it again! Thanks for taking time to reply to my post!

[FRS owner]

What should the alternator charge at? it's charging at 13.4 at the battery and the alternator. Thanks in advance

[DanT404]

What should the alternator charge at? it's charging at 13.4 at the battery and the alternator. Thanks in advance

Yes thats about right. I wonder if your issue may be with the smart charge side of it rather than the basic alternator wiring.

[FRS owner]

Thanks dan i didnt know if it was charging enough! Smart charge Inside the alternator? The alternator is brand new gen from DPC I thought it would be ok??

[DanT404]

No the smart charge system is part of the car wiring etc. Its kind of a hard thing for me to explain but it has its own wiring and a module to make it all work. Do you have a silver calcium battery fitted or lead acid?

[FRS owner]

Ahhh I see you will have to excuse me I don't know that much sounds like it could possibly be this and I have a silver calcium battery fitted

[FRS owner]

Hi guys quick update and a question, i have had the electrics checked on the rs and all the wiring is fine which i was surprised, been told a few times alternator. Question for you guys on here does anyone know where I can find the battery saver relay? I'm presuming its behind the glove box but which relay is it? Cheers!