Bad alternator in a 2012 Ford Fiesta

Asked by Franny4077 Oct 21, 2013 at 02:54 PM about the 2012 Ford Fiesta

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I was told today by a Ford dealership my alternator is bad in my 2012 Ford Fiesta.  I've had the car for 18 months.  How is this possible?

2 Answers

20

Either a defective alternator, or the electrical system was overloaded. Did you upgrade your stereo? Got a couple amps 1000 watts each? Those can kill the alternator, but battery would die first, most likely. Large capacitors help preventing that, if that was the case.

2 people found this helpful.
16,485

It could be the alternator or the PCM. The Voltage regulating system is split between the Alternator and the PCM. Its called a 'Smart Charge System'. It also takes it signals for charging from the Intake Air Temp Sensor and the Ambient Temp Sensor and calculates its own assumed Battery Electrolyte Temperature. Its best to get the dealer to check for fault codes to pinpoint the problem

Your Answer:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Luis Alvarado
    Reputation
    450
  • #2
    Guru97FK8
    Reputation
    390
  • #3
    Rocky guzman
    Reputation
    360
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Ford Focus
15 Great Deals out of 503 listings starting at $2,995
Used Honda Civic
191 Great Deals out of 4,038 listings starting at $440
Used Ford Fusion
21 Great Deals out of 457 listings starting at $1,995
Used Toyota Corolla
130 Great Deals out of 2,282 listings starting at $103
Used Volkswagen Golf GTI
16 Great Deals out of 532 listings starting at $1,704
Used Chevrolet Spark
33 Great Deals out of 572 listings starting at $5,998
Used Ford Mustang
38 Great Deals out of 1,626 listings starting at $8,995
Used Ford Escape
127 Great Deals out of 4,263 listings starting at $3,999
Used Ford F-150
315 Great Deals out of 13,805 listings starting at $4,500
Used Chevrolet Sonic
14 Great Deals out of 174 listings starting at $2,995
Used Chevrolet Cruze
67 Great Deals out of 1,113 listings starting at $2,495
Used Honda Fit
7 Great Deals out of 172 listings starting at $5,989
Used Toyota Camry
50 Great Deals out of 1,123 listings starting at $784
Used Chevrolet Corvette
28 Great Deals out of 765 listings starting at $15,900

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.