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        General >> Problems >> Ignition Light - faint for first few miles
        
(Message started by: johndyork on Oct 18^th, 2006, 10:25pm)

Title: Ignition Light - faint for first few miles
Post by johndyork on Oct 18^th, 2006, 10:25pm

Changed alternator recently on my 2.9 12v using the excellent instructions on the site - solved not charging & current draining problems. (Alternator: re-engineered one from FMD £127 & also new battery fitted £41).

Noticed that the ignition light now comes on very faint for the first few miles then goes out - not something I had noticed before - is it indicating battery recharge following the start or could it be a symptom of a further problem. Anyone else get this?

Regards, johndyork

Title: Re: Ignition Light - faint for first few miles
Post by Snoopy on Oct 19^th, 2006, 8:48am

Glowing Alternator light is ussually a sign that ONE of the three rectifier diodes in the back of the alternator is faulty. I would certainly get it replaced under the FORD warranty it should NOT happen.

Title: Re: Ignition Light - faint for first few miles
Post by johndyork on Oct 20^th, 2006, 12:08am

Thanks Snoopy - must admit I wouldn't have suspected replacement alternator. Will contact FMD where alternator bought and get their view. Wondered if there was anything else that could show the same symptom. The ignition light is very faint, rather than glows - just noticeable on dark mornings, hardly noticeable in daylight - can't fathom why it would go off after a couple of miles? Is this a characteristic of a faulty diode? No apparent faults otherwise.

Cheers, johndyork.

Title: Re: Ignition Light - faint for first few miles
Post by Snoopy on Oct 20^th, 2006, 8:30am

It could be the brushes in the back of the Alternator not making proper contact but IMHO a new/reconditioned alternator should NOT do this the ignition light should go OUT completely when the engine is running.

Title: Re: Ignition Light - faint for first few miles
Post by tintin on Oct 20^th, 2006, 11:07am

Mine has done this since i got it in Jan, battery never actually drains. I believe my power steering reservoir has a small leak, and the fluid is dripping down onto either the wiring below it, or onto the alternator belt (via a water pipe). presumably when the engine warms up, it burns off and all is well again. seems to be worse in winter, almost never came on in the height of summer (which is not saying much in scotland).

worth a check before going down the alternator route.... hasnt affected my car.....im just leaving it for now ;D

Title: Re: Ignition Light - faint for first few miles
Post by johndyork on Oct 20^th, 2006, 5:44pm

Thanks TinTin & Snoopy - rang FMD and helpful parts person went along lines of fault in actual alternator unlikely as diodes replaced on reconditioning and tested etc and said bulb shouldn't come on - as you said Snoopy - but bulb circuit is direct to alternator and they have had problems in the past of static/leakage somewhere in circuit that causes light to be on very faint - eg could explain being shorted by power fluid as you suggested TinTin and then being OK.

Warranty on recon alternator is for a year and he said to clean/check all connections and if no luck then service people would check it out, even though I fitted it, and if found faulty they would sort it with no extra cost.

(The first parts person I spoke to told me that I would have to buy a second one, return the first one and iff (if and only if) the first one was found faulty they would refund the cost of the second alternator. Also the service dept was too busy to check anything. Bit of a difference in help from the two staff! ???)

Cheers, johndyork.

Title: Re: Ignition Light - faint for first few miles
Post by TiberiuS on Oct 20^th, 2006, 6:07pm

on 10/20/06 at 17:44:52, johndyork wrote:

but bulb circuit is direct to alternator and they have had problems in the past of static/leakage somewhere in circuit that causes light to be on very faint - eg could explain being shorted by power fluid as you suggested TinTin and then being OK.

[] I'd try another though, although it seems to be charging ok the light shouldn't be coming on. Had the same with Ford a while back over a faulty part, had to buy the second until the first was tested, didn't cause any problems though, got refunded ok.

Regards, Bruce.

Title: Re: Ignition Light - faint for first few miles
Post by v4-max on Oct 20^th, 2006, 8:32pm

silly question i know but have you checked the tension on the belt?

Title: Re: Ignition Light - faint for first few miles
Post by Snoopy on Oct 21^st, 2006, 8:08am

If you have got a power steering leak then it should be fixed ASAP . The fluid can cause problems with the alternator as they do NOT require any lubrication. the fluid leak is usually from the pipe and all it requires is the clip reseating and tightening.

Title: Re: Ignition Light - faint for first few miles
Post by tintin on Oct 21^st, 2006, 10:23am

;D i know, but im looking at a top end strip down at the moment, so thats a wee way down the list......i need to look into it more, as when i got the car the fluid was on max, and its still on max, but it is wet underneath ??? im suspecting the little elves again.....

Title: Re: Ignition Light - faint for first few miles
Post by Paul_Boulden on Oct 21^st, 2006, 8:21pm

I recently had a re-con alternator fitted to my 2.9 12v, within a month the new alternator failed, the warning light has now started coming on after about 10 minutes ( sometimes goes out again ). I haven't investigated this yet but I suspect the "new" alternator.

Could there be a dodgy batch of 2.9 12v alternators ????

Paul

Title: Re: Ignition Light - faint for first few miles
Post by johndyork on Oct 21^st, 2006, 10:43pm

Thanks guys for all ideas - further thoughts:

- TinTin - when I bought my Scorp noticed everywhere was drenched in steering fluid - found it was loose cap, replaced contaminated belts but alternator has survived further 3 years (as long as I have had car)

- V4-max - Belt tension - noted tensioner position when I took out old alternator and went back to same position when refitted belt to replacement alternator so assume OK (don't know if possible to check tension/adust tensioner) - do belts stretch?

- Paul - are you on 3rd alternator :-[ if replacement 'failed' after month and light now coming on - reckon you could be right - bad batch! Could be very helpful info if/when contacting FMD again.

Taking trip to Northumbria for a few days hols so will let it develop! Packing jump starter though just in case! (30th Wed Anniv trip - can a car be cited as 3rd party in divorces if partner neglected while constantly fixing it? There again that would leave more time to work on car!)
Regards, johndyork

Title: Re: Ignition Light - faint for first few miles
Post by johndyork on Oct 27^th, 2006, 11:54pm

Took Scorp to FMD for them to do a diagnosis why battery light might be on faint - advice:

a) they removed warning light wire from alternator and no change - the ignition light was still on faint (I didn't realise this was one of the wires or I would have tried this)
b) they suspect wire/fuse box fault warning light short circuit to ground

Cost £25.66 for diagnosis - better than original quoted £70.40 but still not convinced as coincidence this light should only start to come on when new alternator fitted. I guess that it is possible some damage was done to a circuit by the previous faulty alternator.

Next step - I'll try disconnecting the warning light wire and see if light still on (assume it is the pull-off one, not the two bolted on wires). As to where to start to find a 'wire/fuse box fault - help? Might just have to leave it and as no problem seems to have occured in past 2 weeks hope this is the pattern for the future :-/. Any suggestions welcome.

Regards, johndyork

Title: Re: Ignition Light - faint for first few miles
Post by Daven on Oct 28^th, 2006, 12:37pm

May sound daft (but thats the way it is with the Scorpio!) but has the starter been disturbed?

The reason is I had same sort of problem after I had to fit a new one and the connections were a bit loose even though I has tightened them up to what I thought was enough!

Dave