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#1
03-29-2005, 05:24 PM
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dealer replaced alt, then batt, still have problem
My daughter has a 99 Escort. Two weeks ago the battery light came on while driving and the engine died at the next light. She got a jump, but only ran a couple of miles and died again.
Next morning I went to the car, determined battery was old and replaced it with a new, charged battery. Test drove car and battery light came on. I figured there was a charging problem. So, I took the car to the Ford dealer. Dealer replaced alternator and car seemed ok. A few days later, battery light came on and battery drained and car would not start. Jumped car, returned to dealer. Dealer said the new battery I put in (from Auto Zone) was bad. They replaced it. She picked up car this morning. On way home from work battery light came on. I don't think the alternator or the new battery were bad, since we still have same problem. What should we do?
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Rik Rasmussen 2003 Lexus RX300 2002 Lexus SC430 
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#2
03-29-2005, 06:36 PM
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Re: dealer replaced alt, then batt, still have problem
Check the grounds on the car. Something is not allowing the car to charge the battery and if it is new there has to be a problem somewhere else. I would have the dealer check the alternator to insure the one they put on is not bad. Also make sure you fully recharge the battery, if it is dead the alternator will not be able to recharge it. Also check the connection from the alternator. It could be dirty and not making good contact. Good Luck!
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#3
03-29-2005, 09:32 PM
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Re: Re: dealer replaced alt, then batt, still have problem
You may have a short in your electrical system. A simple way to check for any short is to have the battery connected like its supposed to and disconnect the POSITIVE battery cable and leave the negative cable hooked up. Next hook up a test light to the disconnected cable and touch the end of the test light to the positive terminal of the battery, keeping the cable and terminal apart and not touching. If the test light comes ON you have a short somewhere in your system, if it DOES NOT come on, you do not have a short. If you dont have a short then your alternator belt may be loose, causing the alternator to not generate enought volts to recharge the battery. Hope this helps, drop me a line and let me know if you find a short or not. Oh, by the way, If you DO have a short a simple way to find which circuit the short is in, is to leave the test light glowing and have a helper watch the light, making sure to keep the cable and terminal of the batter apart while the test light is connected, and pull out the fuse one by one until the light goes out. when the light goes out you have found the circuit in which the short is in. Good luck
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#4
03-30-2005, 09:49 PM
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Update:
dealer says new alternator was bad. Now we are arguing over them not wanting to credit me for the battery since it was obviously the bad, new alternator that fried my new battery. Dealers, gotta love 'em.
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Rik Rasmussen 2003 Lexus RX300 2002 Lexus SC430
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#5
03-30-2005, 11:06 PM
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Re: dealer replaced alt, then batt, still have problem
They should pay for the battery cause their bad alternator fried it.
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#6
03-31-2005, 01:41 AM
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Re: dealer replaced alt, then batt, still have problem
It's the dealers job to test any new alternator the moment that they install it to insure that things like this don't happen
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#7
03-31-2005, 03:29 AM
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Re: dealer replaced alt, then batt, still have problem
man, I got a bad alternator from ford about five years ago. Same thing, went about 20 miles before the new one failed. it was an 80ish escort tho. Of course, my dumb self was instaling for a friend who wanted dealership parts so i had to eat it. I think i would argue a little harder now adays. No, actually, i would just buy from autozone.
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I'm not a mechanic, I'm the guy people bring their car too when they don't run. I usually scratch my head and tap on stuff, then call the dealer to see if they can help me find the carburetor.
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#8
03-31-2005, 06:26 AM
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Re: dealer replaced alt, then batt, still have problem
Same thing happened to my husband.He had the alternator replaced and the new one was bad.Had it replaced again at no cost and no problems since.
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#9
03-31-2005, 07:51 AM
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Re: dealer replaced alt, then batt, still have problem
Quote:
 The root cause of the problem/s is battery drain. In most instances, trunk, glove compartment under the hood lights not turning off cause this type problem. It is a very simple check to determine the cause. Remove the under the hood light bulb. Remove the (-) battery cable and insert a trouble light between the cable and the (-) battery terminal. If the light is lit and steady,* there is a short or current draw. Disconnect the alternator connectors. If the light goes out, the Alternator/Alternator wiring is faulty. If the light stays lit, reconnect the alternator and start pulling fuses until the light goes out. When the light goes out, you have found the circuit that is drawing current, check that circuit until you find the source. If your car has an external voltage regulator, check the chassis ground. Remove both battery cables. Check the voltage with a VOM, if it does not read at least 12.5V....recharge it. If you have a DVOM/VOM it is a simple test to determine if charging rate is O.K. after you clear the battery drain issue. * Trouble light will flash off and on, this is the computer memory drawing current and is normal. A steady light indicates a short.
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Alvin A PROBLEM WELL DEFINED IS A PROBLEM HALF SOLVED. Last edited by A. Souphound; 03-31-2005 at 08:57 AM.
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