Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Battery light on but goes off occaisionally 98 SE

Interesting problem with our new (152,000 miles) Contour SE 2.0 Zetec. While driving about the battery lamp remains illuminated most of the time, but every once in a while the battery lamp goes out, only to go back on a short time later. The battery remains charged and a quick check with a digital VOM indicates about 14.8 volts while running (and battery lamp illuminated) and about 12.8 volts while the engine is turned off. According to the previous owner, the battery light has been doing this for about the last 4 years. The battery is a 2 year old Motorcraft battery and accepts and holds a charge nicely. I did read the post about the "red" wire jumper fix, but I'm not convinced that would really fix the issue as much as mask the issue.

Any suggestions, help, and/or advice would be appreciated.

If you have confirmed that it is charging OK while the light is on, you will probably find a problem in the light circuit.

Will take a look. It does go off now and again (and stays off for a few moments). It appears that this vehicle is very tempermental in the wiring department.

I'm actually astounded that our 1998 was so badly neglected, yet runs so darn well. Now if only I can get that battery light to go off. I have the EVTM (CD) and am going to go through the various pin-point tests this weekend in an effort to determine the ultimate cause of the problem. I'll post the results.

Again, thanks for the great advice and tips as they will be used as I diagnose and hopefully fix this issue.

Alternator brushes are probably worn. You can easily replace.