2002 Ford Focus- Alternator problems?

[mck6888]

Okay, so first of all I know little to nothing about cars in general. Basically, I know how to drive them and scrape ice off the windows...that's about it. But what I do know is I drive a 2002 Ford Focus...I think there's a Z in the other part, like a ZTS? I don't know. 4 door, not a hatchback...yeah. My parents bought it before I could drive, and now it's mine for the driving.

So anyway, lately it's had trouble with lights randomly flashing and clicking on and off, shuttering really bad when I hit the brakes and just stopping in general. My dad took it to the dealer and they said it was the alternator...don't know what that is personally, but it doesn't really matter. So we got it replaced-crap, that was expensive- and lo and behold, it's still having problems. Still shutters when I hit the brakes and shuts down. I don't get it. We just paid about $1000 to replace the alternator and it's still being ridiculous.

Is there a history of alternator problems with these cars? Is there something else that could be causing these problems? My dad is out of ideas and fed up with the less than helpful people at the dealership...so yeah, any words of wisdom would be appreciated. Thanks!!!

[Davescort97]

The 2000-02 had it's problems. It sounds like you have 2 separte problems which aren't related in any way. The alternator has gone out on many early Foci. They are a bear to replace as the motor mounts have to be taken off and the engine has to be jacked up to get enough clearance to get the alternator out. You can get an alternator for about $120. and I think the labor on it is 1 hour. The dealer soaked you. I would do the job for around $300. The problems you have upon stopping are not related to the alternator. I think you have some loose break callipers on your car. It can be jacked up and put on stands to check for looseness. A bad bearing or ball joint could cause these problems , too. Take it to a shop that does alignments. Ask to have you car checked for bad front end parts. The front end man always checks for bad parts because you cn't make much money just on alignments. He will tell you what it needs and then you cn go home, get on the phone and check around different shops for the best deal to get the work done. Oh yeah. Early Foci have had alterntor troubles from the beginning.

[egc519mzl]

I had a similar problem before but I can't remember about randomly flashing lights. The car would just shutter and a few times, the engine died on a stop light. Then, someone from this forum or another one that i was reading mentioned to check the vacuum lines for leak. I started from the air filter box, and realized that I didn't tighten one of the bolt because the nut was gone. I tightened it and the problem was gone.