Battery Light

[spazmoid]

Hey everyone. I was driving home tonight, took off fast and then when i hit third gear my battery light came on. Now it seems to stay on when ever the engine isn't under load, like when i'm in any gear and not accelerating. The car still runs the same way and it doesn't seem like the battery isn't getting charged. Any ideas why this is happening? Thanks

 

[sdpatt]

Ideas? Yes, the battery is not being properly charged by the alternator when the battery light is on. Either the alternator output voltage is too low (worn brushes - most likely problem - or bad rectifier) or the voltage is too high (bad voltage regulator). Each of these problems would require a repair or replacement of the alternator.

Use a voltmeter at the battery terminals to determine the state of the charging system. With the engine idling, the voltage should be greater than about 13V and less than about 15V.

 

[spazmoid]

Hey, A weird thing happened today. The light just went out as soon as i pulled away from my house. It only flickered a couple of times when i shifted from 1st to 2nd. My mom just told me that the car did the same thing about 2 years ago when it had 80 or 90 thousand miles on it and the light ended up just staying off. Its got 108,000 on it now and we've never changed any electrical parts on the car, like the alternator, so maybe it'll just go away again. Weird though.

 

[Ishodu]

Thinks that seem to go away do not usually stay away and will show up at the worst time. Check the voltage like Scott has said and see whats going on.

 

[SHOZ123]

Might be the smaller wires connected to the alternator. They seem to become loose or corroded.

 

[Cobraii976]

Alternator is on it's way out. the diodes are slowly failing. I know it sounds stupid but my 90 did this about 6 months ago and it went away never thought a thing about it till Dec 4th when it came on again and never went out and I lost lights on 75 north then lost power. then lost 70 bucks having it towed home.

 

[SHOtime2511]

yha alway belive in murphys law...it will go bad at the worst possible time $70-$80 will cure this....alternator

 

[Joe'sSHO]

I believe Auto Zone or whatever auto parts store is in your area checks the alternator free of charge. I'd just have them check if you're battery is being charged. I wouldn't spend money on an alternator if you don't have to.

 

[BEVAN]

I believe Auto Zone or whatever auto parts store is in your area checks the alternator free of charge. I'd just have them check if you're battery is being charged. I wouldn't spend money on an alternator if you don't have to.

I was on my way home from the movies and mine came on in my
89 SHO,I made it home and got to work the next day...but I hitched a ride home...luckly I worked for a Ford dealer .

Deffinatley check the batt first...probabily will be fine though

I would just go ahead and replace it because it's on the way out,and there is no telling when it will leave you in the
ru-barb.