Workshop Alternator

[Denis]

Hi guys, I've read the other posts on this subject but still aren't sure where the problem lies.

 

The problem is a fairly intermittent 'Workshop Alternator' message flashing up on the dash display, it can go several days without doing it and then do it four or five times on one journey, the message only appears for a few seconds.

 

Checks I have done myself: Check battery connections, check the high power fusebox- everything tight and in good condition. Batt voltage 12V when engine off, rising to 14.3 when running, alternator copes with changes in load well. No problems starting- engine spins over ok.

 

Checks done by the dealer: Not sure exactly but they say they have carried out charging/ battery checks and checked for fault codes, a waste of a day really because they said they couldn't find anything wrong (it didn't show up for them).

 

The car is still under warranty but there's no point in repeatedly taking it to the dealer as they can't seem to do anything unless they see the fault... even if they did, I have already told them what happens so why insist on seeing it themselves, it only wastes a lot of everyones time.

 

If necessary I could hook a DVM up to the cigarette lighter socket (at last! found a use for it) and keep an eye on the voltage... any other suggestions gratefully received.

[Guest Paul Mac]

:( .

[Guest Paul Mac]

I have exactly the same fault "Alternator Workshop" But it only shows when the engine is cold, is this the same as your fault?

I have repeatedly returned my car to Ford and again they have not "seen" the fault even though they have had it in total for over 6weeks. We even left the car with them for four weeks in one stint but the fault never appeared, surprising when it was happening every 2-3 days at the time - including the day before it went into them and the day after we got it back!!!

We have now videod the fault and shown it to a Ford dealer, for what it is worth, because Ford customer services have told me that unless one of their dealers has actually seen the fault it doesn't exist.

All that Ford have done to date is changed a connector ( I think they have changed the same connection twice) I think that this is a ploy from Ford to say that they have done something and that may have resolved the problem - so you get the car back until the next time it faults. You will need to keep a good record of what they do to stop them pulling the same stunt.

All they are trying to do is

a) wear you down so that you stop complaining that the