Ford Escort (1990 - 1992) - Early Mk5, 1.3HCS - Battery light stays on.

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Sun 16 Sep 2007 11:22
Early Mk5, 1.3HCS - Battery light stays on. - mak
Hello all,

All of a sudden my 'dash battery warning light' stays ON when the ignition is switched OFF. When the ignition is switched ON it goes OUT and stays out when engine is running. Before it only came on when the ignition was switched to start the engine and then went out although recently it started 'flickering' whilst running so I tightened the belt.
I am now having to disconnect the alternator overnight so as not to drain the battery, which is a great inconvenience.
Does anybody have any idea why this has started happening?
Any help greatly appreciated.
Martin
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Sun 16 Sep 2007 11:57
Early Mk5, 1.3HCS - Battery light stays on. - mfarrow
I'd have a stab at diode pack - but depending on the make of alternator it's probably easier to just source a second-hand one. Should be plenty available especially from Fiestas.

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Mike Farrow
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Sun 16 Sep 2007 12:33
Early Mk5, 1.3HCS - Battery light stays on. - Screwloose
mak

Yes; I'll agree with Mike. You've got all the classic signs of a short-circuited field diode there.

If this is as early as it sounds, then the warning light runs directly from the alternator and isn't merely a function of the ECU until around '97.
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