Ford Focus 18 Turbo Diesel Alternator

[Guest bermondseylad]

hi there

i have a ford focus V reg

With in the last year i have put 6NEW alternators in the car

And each time i took it to different garages and explained to them what had happed they just said "its a dodgy alternator mate"

Its starting to go again the lights coming on and going of now and then stops charging some times, so i decided to get a diagnostic test and i got these codes back

p1632

p1246

p0167

 

if anyone has any idea of what the problem is or what it could be ide be great full

Many thanks

[mumof4]

Now i know i have a galaxy..and i dont know what the faults are..but when the alt is replaced..were any cables/leads changed at the same time??..what caused the alts to blow?as it has to be something other than the alt...charging system??..sorry i dont know much about your car..im just hazarding wild guesses.

 

welcome by the way to our humble abode

[Smilge]

Havent a clue about the fault codes matey but 6 alternators in a year!? Are they conditioned units or the same one back after being repaired? I would suggest that yours is not up to the job? What you have to look at are the power demands (14V) for all loads for both prolonged periods (Pw1) and for brief periods (Pw2). Adding these together with a few other calcs will show you the current rating that you will need. Have you added anything that will draw more current such as a sub-woofer? Basically, you are looking at the car drawing too much current through either a short circuit across a resistance or adding equipment that requires a lot of current. I wonder how many others add electrical kit without thinking about how much current the bog standard 23/55A alternator will have to cope with?

[Guest bermondseylad]

na they were all brand new out of the shop

and no wireing was changed just the alternetor

ive got this of another site if this helps??

 

P1246 Alternator load input failed / various code

P1632 Smart alternator faults sensor / circuit malfunction

P0167 Ox Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 2 Sensor 3)

and i havnt installed nuthink new its all th same stuff inside the car??

 

cheers

[mumof4]

Me thinks its not the alts..but something else that is causing the problems..sorry but i dont have a clue..

[mumof4]

Since we link to their site..you can try looking here..

 

www.ffoc.co.uk

[Smilge]

Just had a quick surf and found these for the P1246 fault code ....they might help

 

Generator circuit short to GND

Generator circuit short to PWR

Generator circuit open

Generator drive mechanism

Damaged generator/regulator assembly

Damaged PCM I'd suggest you start by having your battery load tested. Even though your alternator seems to be working fine, the battery may not have the capacity to supply various instantaneous loads from the car's accessories. If the voltage drops below 10.5 V, that could explain the surge in engine speed, two codes related to a possible damaged PCM (goes into an unknown state temporarily when the battery voltage drops) and the "Check Charging System" indication.

 

Is the battery the original battery? If so, you may as well just replace it. Often times a person is lucky to get 5 years or more out of a standard lead acid battery.

 

Bingo!

 

Recalls

June 1999: Alternator short-circuit on cars built from June 1998 to April 1999.

 

Might be worth seeing if yours had the recall ...... gonna have a quick shuffty

 

Owners are being asked to return their cars to their nearest dealer, where the alternator cap will be replaced free. It should take less than an hour.

 

The fault affects only models made between September 1998 and March this year (1999). It has been eliminated in cars built since then.

Edited May 16, 2007 by Bleeno

[mumof4]

Just had a quick looksie on the ffoc site...is the battery the correct size..and the alternator the correct one for your car?