Hi everyone as anyone had a problem where the engine is running with the ignition light on but still charging 

You might need a new battery . 

 

how have you verified it is still charging.

Focus 1.8tdci has a massive battery that can keep going for quite a while after the alternator has failed. 

have you put a voltmeter on it

hope you don't need an alternator. I changed it on my brother's 2008 focus 1.8tdci a few weeks ago and it was a long old job

Thanks for your replies guys.

Yeah I put a battery and alternator tester on, it works on a light system when the engine is off it shows battery is fully charged a engine running it shows charging ok (the 3 charging lights are 1 ok. 2 maximum charge. 3 overcharging.)

Hi isetta.

When you changed the alternator did you do it easy enough by jacking up the car or did you have to use ramps. 

I jacked it up front right and put an axle stand under for safety. I do have a trolley jack , not sure how high the standard jack would get it. Standard jacks are a bit flimsy in my view . I wouldnt want to lay under it just relying on a jack of any type. If you do this job you will find There are plenty of bolts with restricted access to annoy you

Not used any tester with lights on before. I would prefer a proper voltmeter. Another rough test. In the dark, start engine, put everything electrical on, as much as possible. Have it on tickover, now increase revs a tad, do headlights go brighter, that would prove the alternator is doing something ,

Thanks for that I was going to do that last night but only with my head lights on against the wall but forgot but thanks for that that's a better idea with everything else on as well, I'll try it tonight I did just try the head lights against the garage door just now but it's too light to see well enough. 

Thanks I'll let you know how I get on 

Ideally you want the tickover to be low which might not happen if the engine is not warmed up. You could drag the tickover down by : handbrake on HARD . Start engine, foot on clutch , put in top gear, lift foot off clutch slightly and carefully to cause clutch drag to bring engine speed down, the headlights dim a bit?  But don’t drive into your garage door! And don’t burn out the clutch