Ford Escape 2005 alternator/electrical issue

150

Asked by Britishguy Dec 21, 2018 at 06:18 PM about the 2005 Ford Escape XLT FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Hi everyone.

Hoping someone can shed some light
on my issue .

On my 2005 Ford Escape about 8
weeks ago my battery died . The
AMA guy who come to start me said
my alternator was undercharging.

I took it to the garage and they told
me the alternator needed replacing
which I had done . Then a week later I
had a power surge and lost all power
I took it back to the shop and they
said it needed a battery so I had that
changed .

Then around another week later the
same thing happens again so I took it
back to the garage and they say it
must be a faulty alternator and
change it . I pick the car up and on
the way back from the garage and it
happens again .

The garage tells me I need to take it
to ford as it’s a computer issue .

I found a mechanic online that come
over and checked the grounds and
reset the computer as it was still
reading error codes. Everything
seemed to be fine but then a week
later I am out driving and it loses
power again . Only this time every
time I stop the car the power comes
back but as soon as I put my foot on
the gas again the power goes apart
from the front windscreen wipers and
electric windows .

Does anybody have any idea ?

Thanks in advance

4 Answers

103,445

Take it to the dealer, the alternator is controlled by the engine computer. If it's overcharging or undercharging the battery the problem may lie there, and not with the battery or alternator.

22,660

Are all your connections and grounds clean also? Body and engine ground straps in good order also. Ken is correct that this could be an ECM issue. I found that Fords do not like some aftermarket alternators. You must get an OEM. Motorcraft

22,660

Also a surge will happen when you mate a new alternator with a low voltage battery. Always fully charge battery before starting a car with a new alternator

150

Hi lads thanks for your help . Yes the last guy that come to look at it checked all the grounds and cleaned them off. He then plugged it into a computer and drive it round and it was great charging perfect. Then a week later it starts playing up again . The thing is how much money do I want to keep putting into it as it’s 2005 the deal what’s $169 an hour and 2 hours to look at it. Then if they put a computer in and it don’t solve the issue where do I stand then ?

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