93 Escort wagon

[RPHBUY]

Hello,
Yesterday I got an oil change (Not sure if that has anything to do with it). I asked the guys if they could give the AC a quick look. After the oil change they really did not say they could see anything about the AC, but that there was a plug running out or in from the AC that they plugged back in. Before this the car was running ok. I thought, "Ok, thanks." And left. Today, really didnt pay attention yesterday, i noticed that the battery light was "on" on the dashboard. What should I do, or could be wrong? Should i take it back and say, "Unplug whatever you pluged in?" Broke grad student so really cant be doctoring it to much. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank You.

[tampa]

Probably wouldn't hurt to find out what they did but why did you want the A/C checked in the first place. Battery light usually means something wrong in the charging circuit and I would check there first. Always a chance that during the oil change something got knocked loose.

[RPHBUY]

Was just having regular oil change performed and last summer a mech said that the airconditioner just ahd a loose wire, so i figured while it was in there if they could have a check with the ac in addition to the oil change. Thanks for your help thus far.

[Selectron]

I'd go back and ask them to show you what it was that they connected, and then unplug it and see if the warning light goes out. If it does then I'd guess you'll probably want to leave it at that and continue driving the car the way it is, since it's been running reliably (presumably) for the last year without that connection in place.

A battery warning light is something which you can't ignore, so if it still stays lit with that connector unplugged then you'll need to investigate further. You wouldn't be able to do that with any confidence as things stand at the moment though because the connector is an unknown factor, so I'd definitely go back and ask about it.

[RPHBUY]

Ok, I admit my car is a cr@p-box, after your guys suggestion i went to take it to the place over my lunch break, but thwn i went out and started it and drove a few blocks the light was not on.?. So i turned around and parked. So what should i do? Wait and see if it comes on again? or go back and have them unpull the same plug before they forget which one they unplugged? It was a Valvoline type of place and the guys seemed to know marginally more about cars than myself. Again thanks.

[Selectron]

I would still go back and ask them, just so you know for the future, because if that light has been off, then on, then off again, then it's only a matter of time before it comes back on and you'll need to look into it.

Be aware that if the light does come on and if it is a genuine warning then your battery will not be receiving a charge, so it's only a matter of time until it runs flat and leaves you stranded at the roadside, so if it comes on again then minimise the use of unnecessary electrical items - don't use the radio, heater, air-con, etc., because you will need to preserve whatever capacity the battery still has, to be used where it matters most, which is in keeping the engine running.

[[email protected]]

I have a 93 Escort GT, it sounds like they may have unplugged the wiring harness from the alternator, and if they plugged it back in then your battery is getting charged.

The real reason I am on this forum is I "REALLY NEED A REAR DEFROSTER SWITCH FOR MY ESCORT" Ford no longer makes this part, and no longer stocks the part. And this is a "Dealer Item only" from what parts stores have told me. HELP ME.

[denisond3]

I have a 92 Escort, and the alternator indicator light is on much of the time. More than once I have checked the battery voltage with the car idling, and it was over 13.7: And was 12.6 with the engine shut off. Since the alternator is therefore charging I dont plan to worry much about the alt. ind. light for now.
I do intend to have a close look at the instrument cluster backside wiring and circuit board - because the water temp gauge reads high; in the top 1/4th of the arc anytime Im driving. But if I shut the engine off and turn the ignition back on immediately without starting up - the gauge reads exactly in the middle of the 'normal' arc. Which it should with a new radiator, water pump, and thermostat. It doesnt use any coolant.
The wire the service guys re-plugged-in on your 93 could have been the one on the alternator that only has a single wire in it - or it could have been the a.c. compressor clutch connection or maybe one of the pressure limit switches for the a.c. system - if thats where those are located on your car.
You can get a simple-cheap-Chinese brand Digital Voltmeter for about $10, and measure the battery voltage yourself. As long as the car's battery reads above 12.5 volts DC before you start it, and reads at least a volt higher than that a minute after you have started the engine - then the alternator is working 'okay'.
( Alternators can quit several ways. Commonly the brushes wear out, and it stops charging - or the regulator goes bad and it either stops charging or overcharges. It can also lose 1/3rd or 2/3rds of its full capacity but still work 'okay'. If the front bearing siezes up they will stop spinning and burn-out the serpentine belt.)
The poster who needs a '92/93 Rear Window Defroster Switch'. Im going to start a new topic about that - since I could not find one either. Look for the topic.