CAR EXPERTS: 2005 Ford Focus Charging

[LD1]

Just looking for a little insight before I head to the SIL's to look at the car.

I havent looked at it yet (I am usually pretty good at diagnosing) so dont ask me anything questions yet. This post is more for you guys that have more experience. Are there any common/re-occuring issues to check first??

Background:

Car is a 2005 Ford Focus 2.0 motor.

Battery was 2 years old. BIL hit a deer. Not hard. Just a couple of small dents from what I am told. Anyways, radio starting flashing battery low. And then the car died and wouldnt restart.

BIL puts in another battery he believes is good and in ~1hr or so, same thing.

Goes and buys a new battery, installs last night. Starts car and lets run for ~30 minutes. He assumes everything is okay. Car dies on his way to work this morning. Dead battery.

So the obvious is, it isnt charging. I have my DVOM and will take a look this afternoon. I a assuming that hitting the deer may have knocked a connection loose. OR it could just be that the alternator gave up the ghost and its just coincidence???

So again, you guys that work on these daily...any common issues with the focus. Like a ground or connection in a bad location that could have came loose.

I am sure I can find it. Charging systems arent complicated. Just thought I'd ask and see first. And also, cause I am bored. Normally I wouldnt even post something like this:laughing:

 

[gengine]

Well sir, I think you got it nailed. Check for loose connections. Make sure the belt is on the alternator. The focus has a cramped engine compartment, so I'm glad it's you having all the 'fun'! If you have a multi meter, the battery sitting should have 12.6 ish volts, and with engine running, it should have 13v+, in some cases, up to 17v for the charging system to actually be working. Alternators need a resisted circuit before they will actually produce a charge. When you turn the key on, the battery light should be on. If that bulb is burnt out, in some vehicles, the alternator won't produce a charge. The light bulb is the sister in the circuit. Good luck!

 

[Oaktree]

Almost sounds to me like there's a short somewhere...a reasonably well-charged battery should go longer than a half hour or so.

 

[LD1]

Little update:

Got a junkyard alternator and installed. No guarentee that the JY alternator is good, but it still isnt charging. And BTW, the alternator is a PITA BIG TIME to change on this 05 focus

The alternator has the hot lead stud/wire, and then a seperate plug w/3wires. For a external voltage regulator I assume.

Anyway, there is NO resistance between the alternator and the battery + terminal. But still only reading ~12.4V when running. (just the battery voltage), indicating NO cahrging.

Possibly a problem with the other 3 wires????? not getting the field winding any juice????? Voltage regulator???? IDK?

Any suggestions or advice from here on is appreciated. Car is in the garage now, so I can check things out as questions are asked:thumbsup:

 

[LD1]

Did a little more looking and googling today.

there is a 1A fuse in that communicates with the ECU on the charging system. It is good:thumbsup:

There is also a 160A inline fuse in the hot wire from the alternator. It is also good:thumbsup: I already knew this based on the 0 ohm reading from the alternator stud-battery.

So now I am at a loss? The alternator has 3 other wires. I am not sure what they do?? Voltage regulator?? Maybe this alternator is also junk?? Googling turned up this to be a common problem with the focus and their "smart charging" system. Any help is much appreciated. I hate complex electrical problems especially when you cant get to anything.

PS, all the connections are tight and look good, and the battery light in the dash does work. No MIL codes though.

 

[LD1]

Another question for the masses:

With a little more searching, It appears that ford reccomends a silver-calcium battery and NOT a typical lead acid???? They claim it can cause shortened battery life and trouble with this "smart-charge" system.

But when I go to a-zone or orileys website and bring up the replacement battery for the car, it makes no mention of it being a silver calcium???

Also read some places that say the lead acids are fine and it is marketing hype ??

Anyone with any experience with these ford "smart-charge" systems and batteries??

 

[LD1]

Just an update for everyone:

It was indeed the alternator. A new one from advance auto and now shes charging. The junkyard alternator turned out to be junk:confused2:

 

[Car Doc]

Ok then great now I wont tell ya what I found out.

 

[LD1]

Ok then great now I wont tell ya what I found out.

So what DID you find out?:confused3:

 

[powerpace]

I can hardly wait till this thread turns political.

 

[dstig1]

For future reference, pretty much all parts stores have alternator testers they will run for you for free. Bring the old one in and test it. Then you will know...and be conveniently close to the replacement unit you need, if it is bad. No sense guessing and replacing good parts when it is free and easy to find out for sure.

Why on earth did they replace 3 batteries in a row? The odds of 3 bad ones are pretty near zero....

 

[Car Doc]

So what DID you find out?:confused3:

Well aftermarket alts are not a good idea (according to all the techs on iATN that posted on these anyway) and being as how this is computer controlled charging system checking for stored codes is a must. Anyway glad she is working thats all that matters LD and I was just joking btw you know that!!! :thumbsup: