Ford Focus Battery Light is On But Alternator Charging?

If your car battery has a malfunctioning circuit or is not charged properly, your dashboard will display a battery light or charging indicator.

The battery light indicates a battery charging problem on the Fond Focus. A broken alternator belt may cause this light to stay on. If the charging system does not provide the battery with the correct voltage, the warning light will illuminate.

It could indicate a malfunction in the alternator system or battery circuits if the battery light stays on when the alternator is charging. In this case, the battery will not be charged properly.

There are many reasons for the warning, so understanding the exact problem before replacing any components is vital.

Ford Focus Battery Light Is On, But Alternator Charging | What Is Causing It?

Most Ford Focus battery lights illuminate because of a faulty alternator. Several other factors will need to be considered if you believe or are certain that the alternator is charging.

Battery lights can also come on because of a damaged wire, corrosion on electrical connectors, corrosion on battery terminals, faulty ground connections, and slipping serpentine belts.

Damage Caused By Rodents

A rat, mouse, or squirrel chewing up the alternator cables can cause Focus’ battery light to illuminate.

The engine compartment should be checked for bite marks, and all alternator cables should be examined. Cables that have been damaged should be replaced.

Batteries With Loose Clamps

Unless the battery clamps are tightened, incorrect connections between the cables and the car battery will cause the battery light to remain illuminated. A wrench should be used to tighten the clamps to cover the terminals completely.

Make sure you wear protective gloves when doing this. Additionally, you can have your vehicle thoroughly checked at a motor shop to verify that the clamps are properly tightened. It might be a good idea for them to check your entire car for other faulty components while you’re there.

The Serpentine Belt Is Slipping

In your Ford Focus, the serpentine belt is responsible for transferring power from the engine to other components like the alternator and AC compressor.

An alternator pulley with a defect or a damaged serpentine belt can cause the belt to slip. When this happens, the alternator spins slower or inconsistently, which results in a decrease in electricity production.

A battery symbol light appears in the Focus instrument cluster when the onboard diagnostic system detects a low voltage from the alternator.

Squealing noises from the engine compartment are the most common sign of a failed serpentine belt in a Focus. Cracks can also be seen on the ribbed portion of the belt. Burning smells can also be caused by slipping accessory belts.

Connectivity Issues With The Battery

If you have a loose electrical connection or corrosion on the battery terminals, your alternator may work properly, but the current flow is interrupted.

Make Sure The Battery Terminals Are Clean

Clean battery terminals can cause Focus charging system problems. It is essential to investigate them to find out if this is the cause of your problems. Check the terminals for corrosion by lifting the plastic covers.

Replace the battery or alternator may not be necessary if you find white or silvery-green deposits on the battery terminals.

Battery Terminals Corroded

There is a common problem with battery corrosion (except in AGM batteries), especially if the battery has been installed for over two years.

In the case of corrosion, the battery acid reacts with the metal terminals, which causes the terminal to lose contact and reduces the current flow. 

The battery will not be charged properly if there is insufficient current flow, which may result in difficulties starting the engine.

The Ground Connection Is Poor

Negative terminals of batteries are connected to the chassis/body of Focus, called ground connections. Because the engine is mounted to prevent the electric current from flowing between it and the body, it also needs a ground connection.

Engine mounts are made of nonconductive rubber that is insulated from the engine. The engine and chassis are connected by a ground strap/wire.

What Is The Best Way To Clean The Battery Terminals In Your Ford Focus?

Taking the terminal cables off your Ford Focus battery is the first thing you must do to clean it thoroughly. This doesn’t require any special knowledge, just a little concentration.

A wrench or pliers can be used to remove the black cable from the negative terminal. The next step is to unplug the red positive terminal cable. You will make a costly mistake if you touch both terminals with your metal tool.

The corroded battery can be cleaned with sandpaper or a wire brush once it has been removed from the circuit. Positive cables should be connected first, followed by negative cables after cleaning.

Alternator Problems: Common Symptoms

Depending on how well you maintain your alternator, it could last around 13 years. The equipment, however, would still be susceptible to wear and tear regardless of how you maintained it.

Your battery and other vital parts of your vehicle will be damaged if you do not immediately replace a bad alternator system. A faulty alternator system may exhibit the following symptoms.

Failures Of The Electrical System

In addition to gasoline, your car also uses an electrical system. You wouldn’t be able to operate parts of your vehicle if your alternator couldn’t provide the needed electricity or power. 

Vehicles have many features that assist drivers, such as driver-assist features, power windows, doors and locks, air conditioning, radios, and dashboard lights.

As a result, ensure that your alternator is operating properly, as a malfunction could affect your car’s critical components.

Having Difficulty Starting Or Stalling

In the case of a faulty alternator, the spark plugs could not receive enough power to function efficiently. It is unfortunate that, in this case, your engine wouldn’t start, or it would stall when you were driving.

As you can imagine, what would happen if you were on a highway? This incident is dangerous. Make sure your alternator and engine are in good working order before driving to prevent this from happening.

There Are Noises Under The Hood

It’s possible to hear strange noises, such as rattling, grinding, cranking, or buzzing, due to worn bearings, faulty serpentine belts, loose belts, and other defective parts. You may hear these noises coming from your engine or other parts of your vehicle.

It is best to diagnose the source of the noise as soon as possible and then take it to the mechanic to have the bad part replaced or repaired.

Lights And Headlights Dimming

Dimming or flickering headlights are another sign of a bad alternator. Check the alternator system if your lights are dimming without apparent reason. You should also check your battery to see if it is sufficiently charged. Also, check for dysfunctional diodes.

Failure Of The Battery And Rapid Consumption

It would be very easy for your battery to be drained by a faulty alternator. A bad alternator drains your battery instead of using it to power your car. It is, therefore, important to check your alternator as well when replacing the batteries.

There Is A Light On The Battery Indicator

There is a possibility that this symptom will persist or be intermittent. Therefore, the frequency and duration need to be observed. To identify which part of the alternator system needs to be replaced, thoroughly examine the system.

What Should I Do When the Indicator Light Remains On?

When the indicator light stays on or comes on and off, you can follow this simple procedure.

Get The Vehicle Serviced

It’s best to take this step, as well-trained mechanics will be able to determine what the problem is with your car. Your car’s problem will most likely be diagnosed correctly, even if you spend more on the services.

Check The Terminals Of The Battery

When the wires are moved from side to side, you can determine which electrical connection is malfunctioning. Take note of the time when the voltage reading goes up while doing this. If it does, it means you have a faulty connection.

The Bottom Line

There are a few reasons why your Ford Focus’ battery light is on. First, there is a problem with the charging system; it is trying to warn you. It is relatively simple to set up the charging system. Unfortunately, bad batteries or alternators are almost always to blame.

When the battery voltage is too low, the battery light will illuminate. Likewise, the computer will illuminate the battery light when the vehicle starts if the voltage is too low to facilitate a quality start.  

You will often notice this with an older battery when the weather gets truly cold. The battery light may remain on when you first start your Focus. If that’s the case, you should have the battery tested first.