03 ford focus SVT

ssvhto72 · 10-29-2009, 11:05 PM

so i have a focus SVT and i have noticed that there is a whining noise. very annoying at idle and with some throttle.
tonight my battery light turned on and off a few times while driving, its off now but i was wondering it the whining noise is from the alternator which would explain the battery light turning on?

anybody have any suggestions as to what the whining noise.
and a reason for the battery light turning on and off.

thanks

flip{d2k} · 10-29-2009, 11:09 PM

most likely will be alternator have u gotten battery/alternator tested???

canadianfoci · 10-29-2009, 11:48 PM

Yeah that certainly sounds like an alternator problem. Check it out.

ssvhto72 · 10-30-2009, 06:59 PM

I have a diablo sport. and its the voltage reading goes between 11.5V and 12.9V while running. also the RPM's at idle when at normal temp are at just about 1250. my load % is around 22.0%. Ill load test the battery and check the output voltage from the alternator tomorrow at work.

***whynotthinkwhynot*** · 10-30-2009, 08:12 PM

You're getting good voltage because the problem is the bearings, not the brushes. Don't worry though, eventually it will lock up. I suggest taking it to a local rebuilder instead of purchasing a new/rebuilt alternator from a parts store. The price difference should be surprising. I paid $40 to have mine rebuilt.

I'd also check the idler and tensioner pulleys while the serpentine belt is off, or just simply buy a couple of replacement pulleys. These should be less than $10, maybe $20 if you get a dealer part.

ssvhto72 · 11-01-2009, 10:03 PM

i tested my alternator voltage and it came to 13.5V with everything off. with everything on the voltage came to a little over 12V. I put a screw driver to the alternator and my ear it is making the whining noise bad. I also did the same to the power steering pump, nothing came up there. my engine is being very sluggish. im thinking to due to a pulley. maybe my alternator or power steering or water pump? I'd like to get my alternator rebuilt but its my DD and i cant have it down for any day except sunday. im not sure what to do.

also if i take my serpentine belt off should i have any resistance turning any of the pulleys?

S p y d e r · 11-01-2009, 10:08 PM

I am having the same problem. And I've noticed my car being slower too. Do you think that it is because of the alternator, or could it because of the power steering or water pump? How would I check for those two things?

LongDucDong · 11-02-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssvhto72

also the RPM's at idle when at normal temp are at just about 1250.

I agree about the alternator bearings being a likely culprit to your noise, but your idle is too high.

ssvhto72 · 11-02-2009, 09:47 PM

I'm thinking my idle is high because the engine is trying to stay running. or to keep the voltage up?. I noticed my engine load was around 22% (sometimes higher) which its usually at 16/17%

tjw05 · 11-03-2009, 10:46 PM

I agree with whynotthinkwhynot about having the alternator rebuilt, but unless you can find a mechanic willing to work on a Sunday, your best bet would probably be to just bite the bullet and buy an alternator and install it yourself. I'd also test the battery.
The screwdriver thing was a good idea, I've always used a piece of PVC pipe though.

***whynotthinkwhynot*** · 11-03-2009, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjw05

I agree with whynotthinkwhynot about having the alternator rebuilt, but unless you can find a mechanic willing to work on a Sunday, your best bet would probably be to just bite the bullet and buy an alternator and install it yourself. I'd also test the battery.
The screwdriver thing was a good idea, I've always used a piece of PVC pipe though.

You can use anything to transmit the sounds- I've used sticks I found laying around.

10-29-2009, 11:05 PM	#1
ssvhto72 Focus Jr. Enthusiast Join Date: May 2009 FF Member#: 65145 Location: merrimac, MA What I Drive: 03, silver SVTFocus Posts: 43 FF Reputation: 1 Buy-Sell-Trade Rating: (0)	03 ford focus SVT so i have a focus SVT and i have noticed that there is a whining noise. very annoying at idle and with some throttle. tonight my battery light turned on and off a few times while driving, its off now but i was wondering it the whining noise is from the alternator which would explain the battery light turning on? anybody have any suggestions as to what the whining noise. and a reason for the battery light turning on and off. thanks

10-30-2009, 08:12 PM	#5
*whynotthinkwhynot* Captain TMI Join Date: Jan 2005 FF Member#: 18416 Location: Memphis TN, USA What I Drive: 05 ZXW; 2002 Land Yacht (Windstar) Posts: 8,120 FF Reputation: 187 Buy-Sell-Trade Rating: (0)	You're getting good voltage because the problem is the bearings, not the brushes. Don't worry though, eventually it will lock up. I suggest taking it to a local rebuilder instead of purchasing a new/rebuilt alternator from a parts store. The price difference should be surprising. I paid $40 to have mine rebuilt. I'd also check the idler and tensioner pulleys while the serpentine belt is off, or just simply buy a couple of replacement pulleys. These should be less than $10, maybe $20 if you get a dealer part. __________________ ---The Complete How-To Archive-- Moderating Tech Chat and Duratec Chat, let me know if I can help.

11-01-2009, 10:08 PM	#7
S p y d e r Focus Addict Join Date: May 2008 FF Member#: 56088 Location: WI What I Drive: 2002 Twilight Blue ZX3 Posts: 954 FF Reputation: 10 Buy-Sell-Trade Rating: (4)	I am having the same problem. And I've noticed my car being slower too. Do you think that it is because of the alternator, or could it because of the power steering or water pump? How would I check for those two things? __________________ My 2002 ZX3 with tasteful mods is for sale! PM me if interested!

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10-29-2009, 11:09 PM	#2
flip{d2k} Focus Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2009 FF Member#: 70072 Location: mission What I Drive: 2001,silver,se Posts: 99 FF Reputation: 1 Buy-Sell-Trade Rating: (0)	most likely will be alternator have u gotten battery/alternator tested???

10-29-2009, 11:48 PM	#3
canadianfoci Focus Jr. Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2009 FF Member#: 69688 Location: Edson, AB, Canada What I Drive: 2003 Red ZX5 Posts: 36 FF Reputation: 1 Buy-Sell-Trade Rating: (0)	Yeah that certainly sounds like an alternator problem. Check it out.

10-30-2009, 06:59 PM	#4
ssvhto72 Focus Jr. Enthusiast Join Date: May 2009 FF Member#: 65145 Location: merrimac, MA What I Drive: 03, silver SVTFocus Posts: 43 FF Reputation: 1 Buy-Sell-Trade Rating: (0)	I have a diablo sport. and its the voltage reading goes between 11.5V and 12.9V while running. also the RPM's at idle when at normal temp are at just about 1250. my load % is around 22.0%. Ill load test the battery and check the output voltage from the alternator tomorrow at work.

11-01-2009, 10:03 PM	#6
ssvhto72 Focus Jr. Enthusiast Join Date: May 2009 FF Member#: 65145 Location: merrimac, MA What I Drive: 03, silver SVTFocus Posts: 43 FF Reputation: 1 Buy-Sell-Trade Rating: (0)	i tested my alternator voltage and it came to 13.5V with everything off. with everything on the voltage came to a little over 12V. I put a screw driver to the alternator and my ear it is making the whining noise bad. I also did the same to the power steering pump, nothing came up there. my engine is being very sluggish. im thinking to due to a pulley. maybe my alternator or power steering or water pump? I'd like to get my alternator rebuilt but its my DD and i cant have it down for any day except sunday. im not sure what to do. also if i take my serpentine belt off should i have any resistance turning any of the pulleys?

11-02-2009, 09:47 PM	#9
ssvhto72 Focus Jr. Enthusiast Join Date: May 2009 FF Member#: 65145 Location: merrimac, MA What I Drive: 03, silver SVTFocus Posts: 43 FF Reputation: 1 Buy-Sell-Trade Rating: (0)	I'm thinking my idle is high because the engine is trying to stay running. or to keep the voltage up?. I noticed my engine load was around 22% (sometimes higher) which its usually at 16/17%

11-03-2009, 10:46 PM	#10
tjw05 Focus Jr. Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2008 FF Member#: 59621 Location: Tallahassee What I Drive: 2002 CD Silver Focus SVT Posts: 38 FF Reputation: 1 Buy-Sell-Trade Rating: (0)	I agree with whynotthinkwhynot about having the alternator rebuilt, but unless you can find a mechanic willing to work on a Sunday, your best bet would probably be to just bite the bullet and buy an alternator and install it yourself. I'd also test the battery. The screwdriver thing was a good idea, I've always used a piece of PVC pipe though.