Intermittant alternator light

[japie]

A few weeks ago I drove (2005 Connect T200L) through some water and shortly thereafter the alternator light started flashing intermittently.

Since then I have driven over a thousand miles but the light still flashes very now and then.
Sometimes it will not show for days on end, other times it will remain on for half an hour at a stretch.
So far there has been no discernable sense that the battery is going flat, except that the headlights do flicker most of the time.

I suspect that the alternator is on the way out so my questions are :

Is this something I can replace on my own, and, if so, where would I be able to get a replacement unit ?

I live in the West Country.

Many Thanks !

[apexer]

yes you can change by your self but first check all the connections properly but pulling them apart etc

[pikeybob]

Squirt sum WD40 around to drive any water out the connections etc.

[Frag]

Check the 3 wire loom going to the small connector on alternator,it`s for smart charge & they are prone to wires breaking.
The armouring around wires rubs thru insulation,water gets in & wire rots then breaks.
Ford do a repair/jumper loom.........

Easier to access wire if you drop intercooler off from above....

[japie]

Many thanks to all for the advice.
Took off the plastic guard covering the 3 point connectors and found quite a bit of moisture there.
A spray of WD40 seems to have cured the problem (touch wood !)

Another problem though. On the way home another warning light has come on.
An orange bean-shaped light below and to the left of the fuel warning light.
Could this be the ' water in fuel ' light ?

Ta

[SirKit Breaker]

Dont want to take you for a mug, but if you dont know already before you play with the alternator or any of its wiring make sure the Battery is disconnected

[japie]

Thanks Sirkit. The battery was disconnected.
My owners manual refers to a water trap warning light, but the symbol appears to be different to the one in my vehicle.
As it's the only one that does not correspond with the others in the handbook I'm assuming it is the water trap light.

Will check the bowl.
Cheers

[me&myvan]

The same thing happened to me this morning.
I set off for work only a 9 mile drive and within half a mile the battery light came on for about 3 seconds, then went off for about 10 seconds. It did this all the way.
Also after about 4 miles, the dash lights went off, came back on then all the dials went to zero and then recovered!
It did this 3 times. Anyone any ideas?
I've just been out to it at dinner and it starts fine and no battery light at all!
Very odd!
Where should I be looking? Help appreciated, Dave

[me&myvan]

Had a look tonight as best I can with a torch in the freezing cold.
Checked the voltages,engine running etc. all ok.
Couldnt get the plug off with the 3 wires to it but gave a good spray with WD.
This resulted in the light now staying on permanently and now my lights, dash, interior light, etc pulse!
Might try the ford replacement plug splice kit that people are suggesting at weekend.
Any more suggestions?
Thanks, Dave

[pikeybob]

Gotta take the plug off as its full WD40 now, let it dry b4 reconecting

[me&myvan]

Thought I would give it a few days before I said it had worked, but it has!
The replacement lead I got from ford was Part no. 1496586.
This lead had another plug on the other end, dont know why but I just cut it off and spliced it in to the existing loom.
Plugged it back up and no more battery light or flickering headlights! Amazing.
I actually removed the intercooler for access.
The intercooler was clogged with leaves, flies, crap etc.
I took the opportunity to clean it.
The van seems to run a lot smoother now. Worth doing.
Thanks to all for the advice

[Butehawk]

Having the same problem after the van was sitting for three weeks. Alternator light comes on goes off and then comes on again, this just repats all the time. Dash light and gauges fall to zero and then reset themselves. Removed the alternator plug and found a splice already in the blue wire. Cut this out and inserted a new piece of wire but no use same problem will order the ford splice kit and try it at the weekend.

[Mylee]

Very common problem, replaced my smart charge lead last week due to the battery light, flickering headlights and the gauges having a party. £11.75 from my local stealer and for once he knew what I was talking about! Mind you I did get the part number from here

[Butehawk]

Well!!
Not so lucky.
Got the splice kit from ford this morning. Removed the intercooler again and cut the wire back to the top of the loom below the bonnet lock. Connected the new plug to alternator and inserted the cut wires (after stripping the end I might add) into the other plug on the end of the new cable.
The wires are a tight fit. Araldited into place to seal from water penetration.
Started engine but after about a minute the alternator light came on again.
Checked all connections and then took an ohms reading off each wire of the cut out section and they all gave the same reading. No breaks in the wires.
Back to square one.
Any ideas anyone.
I will be trying soldering the new cables in tonight but think that this is not the problem.

[dcwuk]

you need to measure the voltage at the battery terminals first without the engine running then with, if the alternator is working correctly the voltage at the battery with the engine running will be higher.