fordfan

I have a 94' Escort with the 1.9 engine. The alternator/battery charging
light has been coming
on, but only when the engine speed reaches about 2000/rpm. It goes out
when the RPM drops below 2K. The headlights dim a little when the
warning light is on. They get brighter when the light goes out. This
would seem to indicate that the alternator is not charging above 2K-RPM.
I don't think the drive belt is slipping. There aren't any noises
either. Suggestions?

Thanks

Backyard Mechanic

fordfan <fordfan@bluesky.net> wrote in news:oUUaf.42$2R6.6@trndny06:

> I have a 94' Escort with the 1.9 engine. The alternator/battery charging
> light has been coming
> on, but only when the engine speed reaches about 2000/rpm. It goes out
> when the RPM drops below 2K. The headlights dim a little when the
> warning light is on. They get brighter when the light goes out. This
> would seem to indicate that the alternator is not charging above 2K-RPM.
> I don't think the drive belt is slipping. There aren't any noises
> either. Suggestions?
>
> Thanks
>

The alternator brushes are worn out. Call NAPA and ask if they have a
replacement set for that alternator.

That's if you dont have the money right now for a new or rebuilt.

Jim Warman

The slip rings can be slightly out of round.... if the brushes stick
slightly in the holders, they can be able to follow the slip rings at low
rpms but "float" at higher rpms.

Given the age of the car, I would probably opt for a good quality rebuilt...
If finances are a concern, there is a chance of success in replacing the
brushes and cleaning carefully. Having alternator ripple tested at low rpm
may uncover failing diodes that may colour your decision. If you have a
decent DMM, you can test for ripple using the AC 2 volt scale.... Start the
engine and turn on all the accessories to load the charging system.... with
the DMM on the AC 2 volt scale, attach one probe to a good chassis ground
(not to the battery) and the other probe to the output terminal on the
alternator. Ripple voltage should be below 0.5 volts.




"fordfan" <fordfan@bluesky.net> wrote in message
news:oUUaf.42$2R6.6@trndny06...
> I have a 94' Escort with the 1.9 engine. The alternator/battery charging
> light has been coming
> on, but only when the engine speed reaches about 2000/rpm. It goes out
> when the RPM drops below 2K. The headlights dim a little when the
> warning light is on. They get brighter when the light goes out. This
> would seem to indicate that the alternator is not charging above 2K-RPM.
> I don't think the drive belt is slipping. There aren't any noises
> either. Suggestions?
>
> Thanks

nospam.clare.nce@sny.der.on.ca

On Sat, 05 Nov 2005 02:36:04 GMT, fordfan <fordfan@bluesky.net> wrote:

>I have a 94' Escort with the 1.9 engine. The alternator/battery charging
> light has been coming
>on, but only when the engine speed reaches about 2000/rpm. It goes out
>when the RPM drops below 2K. The headlights dim a little when the
>warning light is on. They get brighter when the light goes out. This
>would seem to indicate that the alternator is not charging above 2K-RPM.
>I don't think the drive belt is slipping. There aren't any noises
>either. Suggestions?
>
>Thanks


Likely needs new brushes - OK slow, but floating at speed.

nospam.clare.nce@sny.der.on.ca

On Sat, 05 Nov 2005 03:28:45 GMT, Backyard Mechanic
<pettyfog@yaywho.com> wrote:

>fordfan <fordfan@bluesky.net> wrote in news:oUUaf.42$2R6.6@trndny06:
>
>> I have a 94' Escort with the 1.9 engine. The alternator/battery charging
>> light has been coming
>> on, but only when the engine speed reaches about 2000/rpm. It goes out
>> when the RPM drops below 2K. The headlights dim a little when the
>> warning light is on. They get brighter when the light goes out. This
>> would seem to indicate that the alternator is not charging above 2K-RPM.
>> I don't think the drive belt is slipping. There aren't any noises
>> either. Suggestions?
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>
>The alternator brushes are worn out. Call NAPA and ask if they have a
>replacement set for that alternator.
>
>That's if you dont have the money right now for a new or rebuilt.

I got brushes to fit my ford alternator from the local rebuilder for
$4 or $5 the last time I replaced mine. IIRC about a half hour job
after getting the alternator off.

Backyard Mechanic

nospam.clare.nce@sny.der.on.ca wrote in
news:elaom1tc7e2n70lf3so5t1ftqlchsbvop2@4ax.com:

> On Sat, 05 Nov 2005 03:28:45 GMT, Backyard Mechanic
> <pettyfog@yaywho.com> wrote:
>
>>fordfan <fordfan@bluesky.net> wrote in news:oUUaf.42$2R6.6@trndny06:
>>
>>> I have a 94' Escort with the 1.9 engine. The alternator/battery
>>> charging
>>> light has been
>>> coming
>>> on, but only when the engine speed reaches about 2000/rpm. It goes
>>> out when the RPM drops below 2K. The headlights dim a little when
>>> the warning light is on. They get brighter when the light goes out.
>>> This would seem to indicate that the alternator is not charging
>>> above 2K-RPM. I don't think the drive belt is slipping. There aren't
>>> any noises either. Suggestions?
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>
>>The alternator brushes are worn out. Call NAPA and ask if they have a
>>replacement set for that alternator.
>>
>>That's if you dont have the money right now for a new or rebuilt.
>
> I got brushes to fit my ford alternator from the local rebuilder for
> $4 or $5 the last time I replaced mine. IIRC about a half hour job
> after getting the alternator off.

They're about 5 from NAPA as well..

Fordfan Go to Oct 18 post:
Subject: TIP: Easy Alternator refurbish

fordfan

fordfan wrote:
> I have a 94' Escort with the 1.9 engine. The alternator/battery charging
> light has been coming
> on, but only when the engine speed reaches about 2000/rpm. It goes out
> when the RPM drops below 2K. The headlights dim a little when the
> warning light is on. They get brighter when the light goes out. This
> would seem to indicate that the alternator is not charging above 2K-RPM.
> I don't think the drive belt is slipping. There aren't any noises
> either. Suggestions?
>
> Thanks

I forgot to mention that the alternator is not the original. I had to
replace that one about two years ago. I got a rebuilt one from
'Advance'. It's supposed to have a lifetime warranty so I'll take it
back. Thanks for all the replies.