Hi, I have a focus estate 56 plate titanium diesel. This morning the battery light came on within a few minutes of starting off. Within 5 minutes steamy/smoke started to come out from under the bonnet. I managed to get back home and investigate. Having tested the battery it seems that the alternator isnt charging - fair enough but whats the cause of the smoke? Its possibly coming from the area of the alternator but It smells a bit like antifreeze. Belt still seems to be running fine and alterntor doesnt look damaged.

So i had a a few other goes at eliminating things - running with the aircon on - no smoke etc. Any ideas what on earth it is - maybe a pipe somewhere or even a relay? Sorry to be such a girly but I could really use some advice! Temperature guage doesnt seem to show a prob but i did notice the fan wasnt kicking in till i switched the aircon on. My hubby's perfectly cabable of fixing it but he's away so i figured Id order whatever was needed ready for him when he came back :)

Hi Charley,

Sounds an odd issue. It could be a wiring issue more than anything else, have you checked the wiring to the area, and checked for any sort of heat damage?