Hi, looking for some advice please before I send the wifes car to the garage. (2011 Fiesta - 1.25)

Around 8 months ago, the battery warning light would intermittently come on, on the dash. The battery hadn't been replaced in over 5 years, so thought there's a chance, that was the reason and it needed a change even though it was still starting fine.

Replaced the battery and the warning light went away... until now.

It is again, intermittently coming on. My first thought now, is given the battery replacement, its the alternator. Battery doesn't tend to go flat but she regularly commutes 5 days a week 30 miles on the motorway to and from work, so assume it gets a decent charge there.

 

Has anybody had similar experiences or if there's known common issues related to this?

 

Thank you.

The warning light with the picture of the battery on it, is there to tell you that the battery is not receiving charge from the alternator.

You have a charging fault, the most common cause is the alternator is starting to fail.

Or even the drive belt is slipping?

Or corroded/ damaged wiring at or near the plug that goes into alternator. 

Thanks for the replies. Will have a look for any evidence of the last two and if not, probably have a look at a new alternator.

Before I look into what's involved in replacing the alternator, any idea if its much of a complicated job? Have replaced brakes on my car and replaced rear shocks and springs on wife's Fiesta after searching online/watching YT but certainly not a mechanic!

Since you like YouTube videos here's one on how to replace your alternator:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpCfJYmV1ls

and of course a couple for the wife to watch 🤣

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lENzCx9coIg

Or

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57dMZgKlcUc

 

Thanks for the links... doesn't look too bad and had a look in the engine this morning.

Biggest concern was getting the new belt on as its a stretch fit and no tensioner so have purchased a fitting tool to help with that.

Got a couple quotes for around £350 for cheapest alternator and belt replacement so decided to give it a go myself. Got all the tools except the inverted torx sockets so good excuse to add them to my toolbox.

£100 for the alternator and belt and bit extra for the tools. Hopefully this solves the issue.

Thanks for the help uno, eric and ian  🙂