Battery light

[SHOZ123]

and a bad battery

For that to happen the battery would have to be so bad the car would not start or just immediately failed while driving....

 

[fitefanSHO]

Two questions:

1. Is the battery light only caused by a failing or bad alt? Is there anything else that could cause that light to come on, and be on.. etc?

2. Could a failing alt cause idle issues such as a surge (or stammer) at idle?

Thanks...

 

[SHOZ123]

It is really easy to test the battery and the alternator if you have a voltmeter.

Before you start the car check the voltage of the battery. Should be 12.2V or higher.

Check it when cranking (do it at the lighter socket or use a remote starter) Should not fall below 11.5V.

When the car is running check the battery voltage again with a minimum amount of electrical loads and at idle. Should be minimum 13.25V. UDPs will show a lower voltage at idle.

Add as many electrical loads as possible and rev the motor to 1500 2000 rpm, voltage should be over 14V.

 

[fitefanSHO]

How about idle issues though, can a bad or failing alt cause that and is there anything else that would cause that battery light to go on besides the alt crappin the bed?

 

[SHOZ123]

A bad battery.

 

[fitefanSHO]

In my case, the battery is fairly new (like within 3 months or so) and the alt is old as the hills, so I'm hoping that my alt is the culprit and repairing it will clear my issues up... I just hope i have not killed the battery.

But what about idle issues? Can a failing alt or even a battery cause this?

 

[SHOZ123]

Get a voltmeter and quit hoping.

 

[stangeater]

It's a connection problem. Had the same symptoms a few months ago, and it turned out to be a bad connection at the Battery. Fixed it, and waaaLaaaa. Fixed

 

[fitefanSHO]

I'll check the connection at the battery then for sure.