Hi guys

My battery icon was lit on the dashboard and I remembered someone telling me either its the battery or alternator so I checked the battery and that's good but when I used the multi meter after starting the car, it wasn't showing as 14v but 12.45. That tells me it's not charging the battery.

Was wondering how easy it is to replace the alternator?

Many thanks guys

47 minutes ago, froggy8 said:

Was wondering how easy it is to replace the alternator?

This guy has said it's quite easy....

Did have a look on couple of videos and if I am being honest, it did look doable even with what skills I've got 🤣🤣

Give it a go there not that bad to do 😊

the battery light does keep popping up then goes off again.

makes me think it could possibly be the wiring loom to the alternator. will check later tonight.

Ok this is strange, the battery icon was back so i don't really know why but I smacked/hit the top of the baseboard and now the battery icon has gone. 

Now I have heard/read about the cluster going haywire but never knew it would affect the alternator.

I’d agree its unlikely for cluster issue to affect the alternator. 
 

Simple test is to unplug the small connection from the alternator then retest the voltage at the battery with the engine running. Smart charging system can vary the charging from the alternator but it defaults to 14V output if disconnected from the PCM.

Rule out any battery wiring issues by taking a voltage reading from the main 12V alternator connection (under black rubber plug usually, and 0V/earth on the alternator housing. If you still see only 12V or so that confirms the alternator gone. 
 

Unless the belt isn’t spinning it round but you’d notice that with quick visual check and have other issues too

You are right, the icon came back so I hit the cluster again but nothing happened. 

Are you talking about the 3 wire plug?

It’ll be the small plug going to the alternator - single wire on my ST but could well be 3 wires on other engine variants

is it this bit where i have circled in black?

Yep that’s it 👍

many thanks 🙂 

will take that plug out, start the car and get the battery voltage, post the result.

 

apologies ignore, wasnt thinking

@troy45 just been out to try get that plug out but its very tight fit and the plug seem to be stuck in. i will have to have a think on what next to do.

i have left the car running to charge while the battery icon isnt showing for now.

Ok I have managed to take the plug out, started the car, got the multi meter out and the voltage is 12.60 so looks like the alternator is gone.

Il be getting another after alternator and will try change it myself. 

I will take the top 2 bolts off and just loosen the bottom bolt then move the alternator forward to take the belt off then take the bolt fully out. Done, will do everything in reverse with the new alternator. 

Does that sound right?

Il be getting this one, it looks identical to mine.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/167047428250

You may need to move the tensioner to give you enough slack in the belt to get it onto the pulley for the new alternator. 
 

On my ST the tensioner has a hole init for a torx bit so you can move it against the spring. But you need to get the wheelarch liner off to get access to it

I think the OP's car is a 1.6 Zetec.  So it's a stretch belt without a tensioner. 

Meant to be single use and need a special tool but you can get them off & on using a thin flat tool carefully.

Thank you

I will take my time and have a go 😊

could anyone tell me why on the top 2 bolts, why is one torx and the other one normal?

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

I think the OP's car is a 1.6 Zetec.  So it's a stretch belt without a tensioner. 

Meant to be single use and need a special tool but you can get them off & on using a thin flat tool carefully.

hey tom

could you tell me what the special tool is please? the videos i have been watching doesnt mention anything about a special tool.

also what do you mean i need a flat screwdriver? 

sorry, just that all the videos i have watched doesnt mention the tool and screwdriver.

making me paranoid now 😄 

12 hours ago, froggy8 said:

hey tom

could you tell me what the special tool is please? the videos i have been watching doesnt mention anything about a special tool.

also what do you mean i need a flat screwdriver? 

sorry, just that all the videos i have watched doesnt mention the tool and screwdriver.

making me paranoid now 😄 

Are you watching videos specifically on a 1.4 or 1.6 petrol Mk2 Focus?

The belt on these is stretched on at the factory.  It doesn't have a tensioner and the alternator doesn't have any adjustment.  So in order to get the belt off you're meant to cut it, and then use a special tool to stretch the new one over the waterpump pulley.  But it is possible to carefully slide the old belt off the pulleys, then stretch it back on using a flat blade...but only if you're very careful lol!

Special tool here:

these are the videos i have been wathcing:

 

 

 

 

That is a clever trick to avoid removing the whole belt.