Ford Repair: Ford Escort 1994, 1.4i - starting problem :-(, amp meter, altenator

Question
hello there, i have a 94' escort that was totally working well until recently.  i stopped at set of traffic lights and the engine just cut out.

When i tried to restart it seemed as though the battery was totally flat and all that i could hear was a rapid 'clicking' sound.  

Someone i have spoken to has said it may be the starter motor/solenoid.

I am wondering your opinion and how I could check to see if it is in fact that? Also is there was I can check to ensure the alternator is working correctly?
Any help is very much appreciated, thank you

Answer
Vizz,

The clicking could be your starter or the starter solinoid. Take a screwdriver and go across the 2 terminals and if it starts, you have a bad solinoid. To check the altenator, with the car off put an amp meter across the battery terminals. You should be getting areading of 12.6 volts. Anything below that, your battery needs a charge or your altenator is bad. After you get the car started, your volatage should go up to around 14.3 volts. Hope that this helps and if you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Good luck.

Ken

Ken