Ford Battery warning light remaining on

Justiceforme

Hi all
We have a Ford Fiesta 2 car, year 2003. The battery warning light remains on but the car seems to be running as normal. There is also a slight clicking noise coming from the driver side, near the clock. Any suggestions please.


Many thanks

forgotmyname

Check the battery voltage and alternator output with a cheap voltmeter.

Check the battery after its been standing for a few hours, Then without starting the car put the headlights and hazard lights on. Test again.

Then start the car and check the voltage with nothing switch on. Then again with the headlights, heater blower and heated rear screen on.

Stooby2

It could be a problem with your alternator not charging the battery. the tests above will help. This site will give you more of an idea.

http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-test-a-cars-alternator-2

Have a good look at the connections to the battery, make sure they are nice and clean. You may need to take them off and with a bit of sandpaper, clean the battery terminals and the battery lead clamps on the inside.

All check the connections to the alternator - make sure they are tight and clean and not corroded. Have a good look at the leads, looking for breaks or cuts etc.

mrmechanic

This will more than likely be a current sensing alternator.
There will be a 3 wire multiplug coming out the side, remove the wrap from the wires and check them running into the loom for signs of the insulation breaking and green corrosion inside one of the wires.
More than likely one will be corroded through.

What usually happens is the charging light will go out when you start the car, but arounf 10 seconds later will come back on.

Justiceforme

Thanks for advise. Here's an update.
Most people thought it may be alternator, however after further checks found out that it was an electrical relay, wiring problem. A local auto electrician completed a diagnostic check and found the fault. Fixed for £80.00 but cheaper than replacing alternator. At the same time that our car was being fixed another person had bought in another Fiesta with the same problem. May be a common fault.


Thanks