2001 Escape battery light

[Black_Splash]

The battery light will stay lit on my wife's Escape sometimes. It will go off after a little while. It seems to only do it when it gets cold and we had a winter storm. The battery tests good. Am I looking at a battery or is something getting iced over?

 

[martin]

Check the connections on the alternator, they may be dirty/

 

[shane96ranger]

The battery light will stay lit on my wife's Escape sometimes. It will go off after a little while. It seems to only do it when it gets cold and we had a winter storm. The battery tests good. Am I looking at a battery or is something getting iced over?

That light means it's not getting a good charge. I would do like martin says and clean the terminals. I would also take it to Autozone (or equivalent) and have them test the charging system. When you tested the battery, was a load test done on it?

That's a gripe I have about my Escape.....no gauge for the charging system.

 

[Black_Splash]

That light means it's not getting a good charge. I would do like martin says and clean the terminals. I would also take it to Autozone (or equivalent) and have them test the charging system. When you tested the battery, was a load test done on it?

That's a gripe I have about my Escape.....no gauge for the charging system.

They did do a load test. I was looking up on removing the alternator and it doesn't sound easy to get to, on the bottom, so maybe there is moisture in the connector.

 

[Ranger44]

Clean your battery terminals and make sure they are tight.

It's amazing what dirty loose terminals can do.......

 

[adsm08]

The battery light means the engine is running off the battery. The battery terminals should have no bearing on the light since the GenMon line (the one that is used to monitor the alternator function) is hooked right to the alternator.

Start it up and stick a volt meter on the battery terminals. If you have less than 14.5 volts, you aren't getting a good charge.

Now here is the fun part. Your Escape has a "self-exciting alternator". Normally the alternator gets a little bit of juice from the battery to get the magnet going. Some alternators retain enough residual magnetism that if you rev the engine up over 3 grand, they can get themselves going in case that start up line gets damaged. If you rev the engine up over 3000 and you start getting 14.5V or more at the battery, you have a wire issue.

If not, you need a new juicer.

 

[martin]

the alternator on the six is a real pain in the ass to remove, remove driveshaft etc. I've not seen where they put it on the four.

 

[adsm08]

the alternator on the six is a real pain in the ass to remove, remove driveshaft etc. I've not seen where they put it on the four.

It's only slightly less of a PITA.

 

[shane96ranger]

It's only slightly less of a PITA.

I remember looking at mine and thinking I could get it out from the bottom. I'll have to look at it again when it's light out. It really is in a stupid place for an alternator.

 

[Black_Splash]

I have the 3.0L and the removal instructions say to remove the passenger side drive shaft. That's a little bit more than I can handle, considering she'll need it done quick.

I'll try that test, thanks.