2012 Ford Focus Alternator Removal

Tools and Tips for removal of the alternator on a 2012 and later Ford Focus S 2.0L DI. Sticker on passenger side of engine cam cover indicates manufacture date of 14/02/12 (Feb 14, 2012).

Charging had been irregular since I got the car used at 22,000mi, as witnessed by headlight brightness modulating chaotically a few times per second. Finally at 62,000mi. the battery icon came on, and system was not charging (11.8V seen continuously on battery when running). Brushes did not look bad, armature contacts not grooved, diodes were OK. Suspect the internal regulator/brush assembly.

On installation, be careful to make sure the bottom bolts are started squarely to prevent cross threading... the weight of the alternator tries to cock it down unless you support it.

New alternator fixed the problem (steady 15.1V on startup at 45F temp, gradually subsiding with idle RPM after a minute to 14.9V).