1) At high speeds (70mph+) the battery light comes on and the headlights dim. Same thing on quick accelerations. Let off the gas and things go back to normal. Has new battery as of last winter. My first thought was the alternator. I replaced it last year as well, but it's a junk yard alternator so you never know. I took it to Advanced Auto to have the charging/starting/battery checked. All came out 100%. Why is the light coming on?
I also changed the neg battery terminal. There was a power cable for an amp/subs on there at one time. That cable has since been removed, but the bigger terminal was still there. I replaced that today with a smaller one.
2) Where the heck is the tensioner pulley on that car? I see two pulleys that look like it. One is right in the center of the motor, the other in towards the front but down low. The one in the center is impossible to get a socket one because the strut bracket is in the way. The other is down way too low to reach as well. How in the heck do I remove the belt so I can change the alternator if I can't find/loosen the tensioner pulley?Two questions about a 2000 Escort ZX2 2.0L?
Sounds like a belt tensioner problem. Alternator is not that hard to do, I recently had to change mine on my ZX2, its easier to get to the bolts on bottom from underneath on the alternator though. Your problem could be as simple as a new belt is needed. If there is oil leaking on your belt , then that will cause it to slip as well. Here is a diagram of the belt , as they dont put one on the ZX2, and when you remove the belt, its hard to remember as its jammed in there.
http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u340/
and yes, it is impossible to get a socket on there, a open end wrench will do the trick.Two questions about a 2000 Escort ZX2 2.0L?
sounds like the belt may be slipping, the tensioner is hard to access, the real trick to that particular belt replacement is the routing of the belt, make shure you have a diagram or draw a picture or make a mental note it has a funny routeTwo questions about a 2000 Escort ZX2 2.0L?
And yet again marvin beats me to the punch but yes he is right. Altenator is at the back kind of a pain as marvin said and the tensioner is the one your thinking of use a wrench it will work its magic for you on loosening the tensioner. Or try a belt tool works greta for those tights spots, no pun intended
