My dad replaced the alternator on his Escape because the charging light was coming on. A huge job by the way. Anyway, the light still comes on for maybe a half a mile, then goes off. What else could be causing this?

 

Oh boy does this sound familiar. Did your dad actually test the original alternator to confirm that it was not functioning correctly? The reason I ask is that this summer my light came on and fortunately I made it home on the battery. After charging all day I took the V6 Tribute in to have the alternator checked. It was bad and as you wrote it is a bear to replace but I paid to have it done. That alternator lasted 2 months and went toes up. The next alternator lasted 1 month and stranded me on the interstate when it failed. So now I have a 3rd replacement alternator and just one week after installation the light starts to come on intermittently and driving me bat crap crazy. By now I am convinced the car is trying to kill me. After a few weeks of this on/off with the car otherwise driving normally I decided that maybe the alternator is OK and the warning light is nuts. Eventually the battery light is always on and I take it to the local garage where they test the alternator and it is functioning normally. So this stupid light joins my check engine light and check gas cap light that are always on. If I have my high beams on the dash looks like a Christmas tree.

So my suggestion is for your dad to have his alternator tested (takes about 10 seconds) to confirm its health. As to why the light would be erroneously indicating a bad alternator I have found no one that can answer that question to my satisfaction. Good luck.

 

tcesni, I believe he did get the alt tested. I will try to get more details today.

 

Well as it turns out, the low coolant light was mistaken for the charging light. Guy at the dealer said this happens a lot. So I guess he now has a good alt on hand if the new one quits...