Escape "The Honey Badger"

[mitymerc]

Bloody f'n Escape.
Squeak from accys, pull belt, no squeak. Alt is relatively new, spins free, AC pulley spins free, tensioner hitches & makes tiny noise. Rpl tensioner. No change in noise when ac cycles.
AZ swapped alt.

Now ALT DOES NOT CHARGE.

Had it in and out repeatedly, chk'd fuse & mega fuses at power block, connector does not appear damaged. Have 12 v on red wire @ alt.
Took alt to AZ tested good. Took car to local shop, they think it is the alt.

Don't know what to do next.
Have to get car back together before they call me in to work.

Any ideas?

2010 3.0 V6

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Cables are good, terms clean & tight.

Code P0620, Generator Control Circuit.

PIDs Gen Command Line Fault
Generator Fault Status Yes
Gen Monitor Line Status Fault High
I get battery voltage when engine is running. Batt Light comes on.
If I rev it up to about 3k it will start charging at 13.8v which apparently is a failsafe mode. It always ran at 14.5 to 14.7 before.


Have 12v @ stud to battery.


I cannot reach to probe 3 wire connector when connected to alt.

Disconnected I read

KOEO KOER

red/brn 12v 12v

grn/or .06v 1.9v

Purp 12v 12v

Took it to an auto electric place purported to be the best in the area by someone i respect. The owner told me they do not believe the alternator is a quality part (from a national chain).
He said "Yes we are here to make money, but not by ripping anyone off" "save yourself my markup and labor charges" "The first thing I will do is replace the alt so go get one from NAPA and replace it".

Unfortunately that did not fix it. I am getting concerned that this may be a PCM issue.

[Tiggie]

I would lean on the shop’s suggestion. I’d honestly be inclined to buy a Motorcraft one.

[mitymerc]

I would lean on the shop’s suggestion. I’d honestly be inclined to buy a Motorcraft one.

Already done, went with the NAPA he suggested, no change...

Going back to the shop tomorrow.

[bgreywolf]

Do you have the original alternator?
I'm not sure on 2010 but different application alternators used different field wire supplies from the PCM or elsewhere.
I ran into this on a 2004 Focus, which uses a PCM controlled voltage regulator to adjust the charge rate/voltage; the parts store gave me an almost identical alternator for an earlier Escort which self-charged using a voltage sense, the difference being the voltage regulator screwed to the back.
The alternator tested good but wouldn't charge, because it was looking for a constant 12+ volt battery voltage and not a pulsed ECM signal.

[mitymerc]

No, the original is long gone...
Interesting thought, I have been through 3 AZ and now on the NAPA, still having wild voltage swings while driving and this am it dropped below 12 and triggered the bat light.

[gadget73]

Got an old t-shirt and a match? If you stuff the shirt into the gas tank and light it, I bet the charging system issue will go away.

[mitymerc]

The more I dick with this car the more I like the MegaMerc.

[mitymerc]

Took it to a local Auto Electric Specialist, he determined that it was the (4th replacement, 2 different stores) alt, when he forced it to up the voltage with his diag computer it stuck it's tongue out. Took it back got another one, I don't think it is totally fixed, Last one worked almost properly for a few days, I think this will be the same deal.

[mitymerc]

Failed next day.

Turned out to be a bad connector at the Alt.

[mitymerc]

Put the summer Bullits on it.
Installed a spoiler on the hatch, should be worth about 50 horsepower of aerodynamics...

[mitymerc]

Finally did past due oil chg. Mobil 1 full synth & motorcraft filter.