Random battery light

[go-to]

My alternator died recently and I replaced it with a new unit from SHO Source.

Everything was fine for a few weeks and I've started to get a random battery light that will flash on and then off. I put my volt-meter on it tonight and found that then the battery light flashes on the voltage jumps to 14.6-14.7 volts. Normal charge range is right at 14 volts.

Any ideas?

 

[jimtash]

Send it back for a replacement. The voltage regulator is bad.

 

[rubydist]

agreed, the voltage should not go over 14.5V

 

[go-to]

So there is no external control to the alternator that could cause this?

 

[rubydist]

the voltage regulator is internal to the alternator, and that is the only thing that can cause the output voltage to go too high.

 

[go-to]

I was asking because maybe it was computer-controlled.

Thanks man. I'll need to take it out and have it tested.

the voltage regulator is internal to the alternator, and that is the only thing that can cause the output voltage to go too high.

 

[go-to]

Well the alternator got to a point where it would run in the 18volt range just at idle.

I didn't drive it more than a day until I noticed this...my brand new battery was a bit swollen after all this as well.

SHO Source replaced the alternator and all is well now. I can't say what happened to the alternator honestly, because nothing like this has ever happened to me.

All good now.

 

[SHOdded]

Is it a reman'd Motorcraft or brand new aftermarket alternator? MOST of the times, a reman'd Motorcraft or NAPA with lifetime warranty (or rebuilt original) is your best bet.

 

[sperold]

Keep an eye on your battery from here on.
Often when you overcharge them, the plates warp and eventually touch each other, knocking out the effectiveness of that part of the battery. All your accessories will work fine, but when you try to start the car.... no go.
Do a load test if you have issues (usually free).

 

[go-to]

Brand new from SHO Source.

Is it a reman'd Motorcraft or brand new aftermarket alternator? MOST of the times, a reman'd Motorcraft or NAPA with lifetime warranty (or rebuilt original) is your best bet.

 

[go-to]

My brother has a load tester.

Keep an eye on your battery from here on.
Often when you overcharge them, the plates warp and eventually touch each other, knocking out the effectiveness of that part of the battery. All your accessories will work fine, but when you try to start the car.... no go.
Do a load test if you have issues (usually free).

 

[go-to]

Well I have to say that this single issue has made me want to sell my SHO.

I am on my 4th alternator that has failed in the same way. SHO Source replaced the first alternator free, but after about 6 months that alternator began failing in the same way as before.

I purchased a used alternator from Fred (kudos to him, but this issue isn't his fault) but after only 1 weekend this used alternator has failed as well!

There is just no way my I am cursed this badly!

 

[SHOdded]

Seems NAPA premium alternator is in your future. Lifetime.

 

[sperold]

I would start to look seriously at your battery. Perhaps it is always demanding your alternator to put out a full charge (like if you leave your lights on for hours and first start it up after that scenario).
I don't think an alternator can run at full capacity all the time (100% duty cycle) or even for hours at a time.

If your car is a 94, you already have the good alternator.

On my Gen1 cars, the little 90 amp alternator cannot charge a very low battery, no matter how long your drive it, after it discharges..... it has to be put on a charger to top it up, so compared to that, you have it good!
My GenII cars can recover while being driven, but the alternator has to get a break by delivering less current to the battery as the time goes by (ie battery is receiving the charge and relaying back that message).

 

[zoomlater]

I've read on here that a bad battery can **** a good alternator and vice versa. I'm on my third alternator on my 92 and probably due for a fourth soon as I have the intermittent battery light as well. I've been buying the Napa premium alternators with the lifetime warranty and they last about two years before you take them back for an exchange. Your car still have relatively low miles with many more to go so I wouldn't let an alternator issue discourage you. Have you tested the battery recently?

 

[go-to]

I'll be trailering the car to my brothers shop this weekend. We will test the battery and alternator tonight most likely.

 

[luigisho]

If the battery swelled there was most likely some gassing and boiling of the electrolyte in there. If it was my car, I would be suspect of using the battery going forward. Alts and starters are a tricky part and have a much higher failure rate out of the box & short term than most other parts.

I would also recommend to check for unusual current draw with the car off that drains the battery and then puts an extra load on the alt and battery to maintain a full charge. That would accelerate those parts work load and failure. There are YouTube videos on how to check and track these down if they are present.

http://www.mikesautorepairphoenix.com/car-battery-trouble.html

 

[go-to]

What is the proper battery part number for this car? I have a Wal_Mart battery with a carry handle I had to cut off because the hold-down wouldn't fit.

 

[zoomlater]

Group 34 if I recall

 

[luigisho]

That's what it looks like on the interstate website

http://www.interstatebatteries.com/...geZ1z0tvn9Z1z0twbmZzihwsq?dsNav=A~Part+Number