2000 Escort ZX2 Help with Charging System and Service Engine Soon Lights

[sakicfan84]

Hey everyone. I'm having a couple issues with my 2000 ZX2:

For the past 3 or 4 months (may have been slightly longer, but thats when I became aware of the issue) when I'm doing rapid acceleration, my "charging system" light will illuminate on the dashboard. As soon as the heavy acceleration is stopped, the light will go away. The only time this ever really happens to me is when I'm accelerating off a merge ramp on the express way, the light will come on a second or two when I get up to speed and then fade when I'm up to speed and stop accelerating.

Today when I was driving home, I merged on the express way and the charging system light came up again, but this time the "service engine soon" light also came on. I noticed the service engine light was on right after I had merged on the expressway.

I'm not sure what is causing the first problem with the charging system light. I was thinking alternator when it first happened, but the light only has come up during rapid acceleration and there hasn't been any other indication of any charging problems. As for the service engine light, I was thinking it may have been related to the first problem, but that is solely because it came up right when I was doing heavy acceleration.

I'd appreciate any suggestions on why my charging system light would come up only during heavy acceleration and if there is any possiblity that the service engine light might have been triggered by the issues with the charging system.

[mightymoose_22]

Well you can easily get the problem checked out for free at a local parts store... most of them will wheel there little machine out and check the battery, starter, and alternator. Only takes a few minutes.
MY guess is alternator though. It probably is not putting out a steady current.

[Davescort97]

I had the same problem with my 97 Escort. The battery/charge light came on when I'd go through water. Turns out, the belt was getting wet and making it slip on the alternator pulley. I put the inside fender shield back on and it's never done it since.

Sooo. I think your belt on the alt. is slipping. Check it for any oil contamination and tension. Put on a new belt whether it has an automatic tensioner or not. If it has an automatic tensioner it could be worn out enough to make the pulley slip on the alternator. If it doesn't have an automatic tensioner adjust it so that it has 3/8 inch deflection.

The belt slipping on the pulley could have made the CEL come on. Put a new belt on and take the negative terminal of the batter loose for 15 minutes, then put it back on. This should reset the computer and make the light go out. If it's an ongoing problem the light will come back on. If it's a one time occurrence it'll stay off.