Siren sound and Burning smell

jecp · #1 (**permalink**) 12-27-2008, 04:27 PM

Had to replace the battery on my 02 Escape the other day (slow starting in the extreme cold). Now I am getting a high pitched whine and a burning smell, like and electrical fire, and the noise and odor seem to be coming from the alternator. The battery is a replacement, speced to the OEM requirements, and the truck is running ok, no indicator lights, etc. Two questions:
Could the alternator be damaged from the original battery (six years old), or is this normal life span (44k)
Can you replace the alternator without removing the axle shaft?

2002 Escape 4WD, 3.0 V6

jecp · #2 (**permalink**) 01-04-2009, 01:05 PM

Well,
Had to replace the alternator. Casing was cracked. Bear of a job, removing the axle and brackets. Great truck, but will think twice about front drive on my next one.

Thanks for your help in the past.
Chris

tonyford · #3 (**permalink**) 01-04-2009, 07:08 PM

A job more suited for my mechanic if the need arises. Good to hear you found out what it was without too much diagnostics. Could be the reason why the original battery was starting to fail, not being charged. I have an '03 Escape XLS with 89K miles, battery seems to be okay yet, a little sluggish on extremely cold mornings, but not bad yet. I did hear that the original Ford battery is an excellent battery. When I do need one, I will see if I can get one from Ford.

tcesni · #4 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 02:18 PM

Replacing the alternator is a bear and I wouldn't possibly do one myself so congrats to you for tackling it. I had to replace mine after 145k miles and three replacement alternators failed over 3 months. They were aftermarket NAPA parts with lifetime warranty but the poor mechanic really got tired of the job.