tdpower

Like the title says my neighbors Grandson accidentally hooked up the jumper cables wrong on their 1997 ford escort. The car they were jumping from was hooked up correctly just reverse on the escort side. They let it run probably 5 minutes hooked up that way and tried to start it a couple of times and no start. Had me come look at it and found 100 amp main fuse blown. Replaced that and after charging the battery fully the car started but the alternator is not putting out anything. Reads around 12.6 vdc at idle. Checked all fuses in the inside fuse box and box in the engine. Anything else I should check before pulling the alternator. The other car they were jumping from seems to be running fine and alternator is working correctly. I'll probably pull the alternator in a few days. Just seeing if there is anything else I should check first.

Thanks for any input.

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2000 ford escort dohc 4 cyl

Bert

There are 3 fuse that connect the circuits to the alternator. Check the diagram #11. Autozone will check the alternator for free, in the car and out.
| Repair Guides | Wiring Diagrams | Wiring Diagrams | AutoZone.com

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Bert

tdpower

Thanks for the diagrams. The 100 amp main fuse in that was blown and replaced it. The battery light in the car stays on now. I checked all the fuses in the two main fuse boxes and were all good. Maybe I could of missed an inline fuse not in one of the boxes. I did take the car to orieleys and said the alternator was not putting out anything. I already knew that based on the readings from my meter. Guess the next step is to pull the alternator and have it tested out. He might even consider getting a used alternator. He is trying to sell it now. The car has 260k on it.

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2000 ford escort dohc 4 cyl

jwko

There shouldn't be any inline fuses.

jwko

Make sure fuse #14 in the dash is not burnt in the ends. Its the fuse that supplies power from the switch to the voltage regulator. Other than that I'm betting the alternator is toast.

edit - the other fuse besides the 100a is the #1 (fuel injection) under the hood.

tdpower

Thanks, I'll pull the fuse #14 out and check it. I was just using my meter in the diode tester setting (makes a beeping sound for continuity).

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2000 ford escort dohc 4 cyl

tdpower

Pulled the alternator today and it tested bad at the parts store. The car is a 1998 not a 1997. My mistake. Should I go with a re-manufactured or new? I can get a duralast new from autozone for about $155. Reman. are about $20 less.

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2000 ford escort dohc 4 cyl

jwko

If the car is going to be sold then I would go reman. I he keeps it, it might be worth the extra $20 for the warranty.

jwko

You might have a look at our sponsor RockAuto Auto Parts you can pick one up there for under a 100 bucks plus they offer a 5% off to forum members. 5% off code located here

tdpower

Thanks I'll check that out. I have not talked to him yet so not sure what route he'll take.

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2000 ford escort dohc 4 cyl