Ford ka problems again!!!

elliesmemory1

posted about this car a little while ago but need more advice please.
52 plate ford ka 1300.
duratech engine.
Had a new battery and alternator last year
last year had problems with misfireing engine and had ecu remapped.
this year, a few weeks ago battery warning light came on. headlights dipping, this happens now and again.
Also had new thermostat a few weeks ago as temp light came on. After had new themostat battery light went off. a few days later battery light came on again. This is very intermittent and happens now and again for a few mins. Car starting and driving ok.
Two garages have looked at it and checked for loose wires etc and can only suggest changing the alternator, but are not really sure if this is the problem.
Alternator checked andi s working fully when battery light off but not charging fully when light on.
Battery light not come on for a few days now.
Could it be the alternator as its so intermitant?
Been told it could be the smart charge system? garage not sure.
Sorry for rambling post but dont knowmuch about cars and garages not much help.
Any advise please

Mr_Thrifty

Sounds fairly obvious that it's the alternator.

Does make you wonder whatever happened to the scientific method of diagnosis.

elliesmemory1

Forgot to say it has been plugged in to diagnostic machine thing and no faults show.
It can go days or even weeks without battery light coming on.
Starts every time. Just wondering how it can be alternator when it comes and goes so much?
Will be having alternator changed next week just to rule it out but just wondered if there was anything else it might be?

forgotmyname

Battery with an intermittent internal short circuit?

If all the battery/alternator leads have been checked and earth points
clean and secure then it does seem like an intermittent alternator.

Does it have the smart charge system? Is it a silver calcium battery?

What is the actual charging voltage?

elliesmemory1

Im told it does have smart charge. Not sure about battery type but I had a new one last year.
Im told when alternator tested it was charging 14 volts when light off but 12-13 when light on?
sorry to be vague but I know nothing about cars and only going on what im told.
alternator is still under garantee but I will still have to pay labour charge to change it.
battery checked and im told its fine.

elliesmemory1

Having problems with this car again!! battery light has stopped coming on and its all been fine for months, however recently its been running a bit rough almost feels like its in wrong gear at times when its not also seems to be using a lot of petrol. Tonight the engine warning light came on. I will be taking it to a garage as know it needs plugging in to diagnostics agan as soon as i can hopefully on monday if they are open but just wonder if anyone has any idea what this could be. Im so fed up with his car its already cost me a lot and now looks like its going to cost more. Going to be a good start to new year Not

arcon5

Symptoms:

using a lot of petrol
running a bit rough


Could be a lot of things

elliesmemory1

As I said it feels like its in wrong gear when its not, worse at slower speeds and now engine light on. Any helpfull ideas?

mattyprice4004

Definitely alternator.

elliesmemory1

mattyprice4004 wrote: »

Definitely alternator.

Thanks, would that make it use more fuel? Battery light not coming on now its the engine light. Spent 600 on it a year or so ago having the ecu re mapped. Could it be connected??

arcon5

Buy a Ford Super if you have engine lights on...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120897357484

It will at least give you an idea of what's happening before you go to a garage.

Fuel economy could even be unrelated, perhaps due for a service or something.

If by it feels like it's in the wrong gear you mean revs changing then it could be the clutch, could just be the throttle position sensor or lots of other things. If it drives rough could be anything from engine timing, injectors or just an EGR valve need cleaning (if applicable on your model).

Not really something that can be diagnosed on here i'm afraid