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Guest
Anonymous Poster
ateapartyscandal@gmail.com
Mar 6, 2009, 7:50 PM
Post #1 of 5
(1656 views)
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2000 Focus. Please help!
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Recently I have been having problems with my car. I drive a 2000 Ford Focus that has 99,000 miles on it. I find that when I go faster than 60mph my battery light comes on and, if they're on, my headlights will dim.
I have taken it to get fixed twice, and nothing has worked. The first mechanic I took it to told me it was just a problem with the belt. He replaced it, and I continued to have the same problems.
Yesterday I took it to a Pep Boys. I told them what was going on and they said they would run a test on it and find out what it was. I asked if they would look at the alternator because that is what everyone was suggesting it was.
They called about an hour after I dropped it off and said something about it jumping during the tests, and that the alternator would charge the battery sometimes, just not all the time, and that they knew I definitely needed a new battery. They said they would hook it up and see how things went. Another hour passed and they said that was all it needed and to come pick it up.
I tested it out last night to make sure they actually fixed the problem and I found that when I went above 60 my battery light no longer came on, but my headlights would still dim.
Then, today as I was pulling into a parking spot, my car stopped running immediately after I put it in park, and my oil and battery lights were both lit. I shut it off and was able to turn it back on, and I have not had this problem since, but the only place I drove it after that was back home.
I'm tired of taking it to get fixed and spending all my cash, and no one is able to help me. Does it seem like an alternator problem, something electrical? I have no idea, please help!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Mar 7, 2009, 4:44 AM
Post #2 of 5
(1649 views)
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Re: 2000 Focus. Please help!
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So what was replaced? You stated it needed a battery and suspect alternator - are they now both new and this persists?
T
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Todd Norton
User
/ Moderator
Mar 7, 2009, 10:32 AM
Post #3 of 5
(1646 views)
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Re: 2000 Focus. Please help!
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im thinking if the belt tensioner and belt are ok then it sounds like you need a new alternator. they do have some internal voltage regulator problems . these problems have been known to present themselves at higher engine rpm or road speed as you are experiencing , they will often not show up in the shop or by bench testing . also sometimes there is a small single wire ,beside the regulator plug on the alt that will cause problems (white wire with grey plastic connector)check terminal pin tension and for corrosion...hope this helps ......Todd
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Guest
Anonymous Poster
Mar 7, 2009, 11:13 AM
Post #4 of 5
(1642 views)
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Re: 2000 Focus. Please help!
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Only the battery was replaced.
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leevit2stever
Novice
Mar 12, 2009, 12:10 AM
Post #5 of 5
(1626 views)
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Re: 2000 Focus. Please help!
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 Im thinkin Todd may be on the right track here. If your headlights are visably dimming at higher RPM's
it would seem your losing amperage. Im wondering if the voltage regulator may start to overheat at this point
(if its an internal regulator) this seems more likely. Assuming that this isnt an issue during the day,you might try switching on the heater
fan,and see if it slows down under the same circumstances during the day (in other words are other electrical systems effected
besides the headlights) HMMMM........that ones kinda a tuffie
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