Charge light question

[jaybee]

I'm not sure what I'm missing, but without a doubt there's something going on with my 2007 Focus.
--Charge light comes on about 20 seconds after starting.
--I've cleaned the battery terminals...they were due.
--Voltage shows 12.2v when the ignition is off, 14.8v when the engine is running when checked at the battery posts.
--No apparent symptoms of low voltage. The starter spins over well, the lights are bright, stepping on the brakes with the lights on doesn't dim the headlights.
--Battery was 4 years old in August, probably about ready for a new one. I'm guessing this is the issue but I don't want to buy a battery just to find out.

[enjenjo]

Check and see if it is setting a computer code. Also check the connection of the battery wire at the alternator. There is a funky connection that can come loose creating an intermittent problem.

[jaybee]

Check and see if it is setting a computer code. Also check the connection of the battery wire at the alternator. There is a funky connection that can come loose creating an intermittent problem.

Thanks for the advice. I wish I had a scanner at these moments. I thought I had it kicked. I got a Bluetooth OBDII device which I had hoped to pair with an iPhone app called FourStroke. Looks really good but the OBDII device which was advertised as being supported by iPhone...is not.

[Arnold]

Check and see if it is setting a computer code. Also check the connection of the battery wire at the alternator. There is a funky connection that can come loose creating an intermittent problem.

 I had 3 Focus's. 2 of them did this. I was doing a ton of night time winter driving middle of no where so I wanted this fixed right. I took it to my local garage who are real experts with old stuff. They were OVER CHARGING a little    Apparently both under and overcharging can set the light on. They said it was nothing..but I wanted it fixed properly.

 Fixed. 1 car=new alternator. The other..= new computer..(computer controls the charging)

[Arnold]

Check and see if it is setting a computer code. Also check the connection of the battery wire at the alternator. There is a funky connection that can come loose creating an intermittent problem.

 I had 3 Focus's. 2 of them did this. I was doing a ton of night time winter driving middle of no where so I wanted this fixed right. I took it to my local garage who are real experts with old stuff. They were OVER CHARGING a little    Apparently both under and overcharging can set the light on. They said it was nothing..but I wanted it fixed properly.

 Fixed. 1 car=new alternator. The other..= new computer..(computer controls the charging)

 btw..no codes,some of these had some sort of a splash shield to protect the alternator..that the splash shield mount points rot off and there goes the splash shield

[jaybee]

Thanks Arnold. What you say rings true. I haven't had time to look at it yet since the weather here has been miserable (for Tidewater Virginia) this weekend. I only drive it a few minutes a day these days so I'll never be too far away to come get me, but by my measure the charge voltage is a fraction of a volt higher than it should be.

[wayne petty]

print this chart...

https://i.imgur.com/kviX0VQ.jpg

when you get a chance perform it step by step..

if you ever visit homedepots.. wander down the tool isle next to the lincoln welders..

lincoln stainless steel wire tooth brushes are 3 bucks... Lincoln  Model # KH580 some of the best wire brushes..

why... because ford focus models have been found with lots of power and Ground connection issues.


 make your self up some longer test leads with gator clips on the ends.. these are 7 feet long each..https://i.imgur.com/XlTLPVE.jpg

my current pair uses 28 feet of wire.. https://i.imgur.com/XiJNJ3Z.jpg  one is 16 feet long and the other 12 feet..  so i can work on cars with engines in the back and batteries in the front..

 this test takes less than 5 minutes.

[jaybee]

Thanks Wayne. In addition to a Harbor Freight VOM I also have a Power Probe with long enough leads to go all over the car. One of the advantages of moving to SE Virginia is that I don't have to worry about doing all this in the middle of a blizzard.