2003 Ford Escape....RPM problems and battery light coming on occasionally!!
 

For about a week now I have noticed my battery light going on and off. As of yesterday, my RPM's are now dropping for no reason. I'm staying at the same speed, and my rpm's drop down to 2....when they should be at 3. Its like the needle is floating and continuously dropping! I'm not hitting the brake, or taking my foot off of the gas pedal. I had both battery and alternator tested, and they are fine. Has anyone had this problem, or have any idea what could be wrong?

Thank you!

You don't state if you have an automatic or manual transmission. If's an automatic trans, the trans may shifting in and out of gear causing the drop and rise of rpms. But that does not explain the battery light.

You can do all kinds of speculating on what the problem is or problems are. Could even be a fuel problem and the engine is starving for fuel causing the rpms to drop so low at times it is affecting the battery charging.
I would bring it to a reputable mechanic, if not Ford itself.

Battery Light coming on may just be a sensitive sensor..no worries. Just keep an eye on it as battery may be getting a little weak.

get them retested or do it yourself


the cheap get the battery tested!
the expensive the alternator is going?

if you have a multimeter:
a> set the voltage to dc
b> check the battery with the engin off< you should have around 12 or better
c> start the engine a test the alternator voltage should be above 13.5

pray for the battery

squid111

You might be able to use the odometer display to check the battery.
Insert the key into the ignition switch, but don't turn it.
Press & hold down the odo buttton, then turn the key to the ON position w/o starting the car... continue pressing the button.
When tESt appears on the odo display, release the button.
The gauges will do a sweep & the display will change to GAGE.
Now press & release the button to cycle thru the various displays until you get to the bat display - it should show the engine OFF voltage.
Now start the car - the engine ON voltage should be displayed.

There are fifty or so items that can be displayed; the battery display is within the first 15-20 or thereabouts. Other items that are kinda handy: engine rpms, coolant/engine temperature. For kicks you can drive the car using the digital speedometer.