Evening all,


I've got a 2.0l zetec in the 7 and the ignition light stays on and flickers when the engine isn't under load (decelerating).

I've tried tracing the large cable from the alternator and it seems to go into the fuse box, I was under the impression that there was a direct link between the alternator and the positive terminal on the battery?

I'm a novice with electronics so any help is brilliant.

Cheers,

Chris

Have you checked if the alternator is charging properly. If you have a multimeter test the battery voltage with engine off. Note the reading. Test with engine running, there should be an increase in voltage if all is well. Check all connections are corrosion free and tight. Check battery earth and plug on alternator for loose fit. Best of luck.

Check that the belt driving the alternator is tight.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Macbeast
Check that the belt driving the alternator is tight.

---

As above but if the light is only coming on the over run it to me suggests a bad connection at the rear of the alternator, the old style standard 3 blade connectors used on ACR alternators were very prone to this.

Clean the blade connectors up with (best to remove rear plastic cover to do this) and make sure the female connectors have a good bight on the blades,



[Edited on 13/8/11 by britishtrident]

The alternator belt is tight, like you say, check the basics first.

I'll have a look at the terminals later on and see what they're like.

But is it right that there should be a direct connection between the battery and alternator on a zetec?

Cheers,

Chris

The starter, alternator and battery will have connections between them. Its not a bad thing to not have a direct connection between alternator and battery, it might be alternator to starter.