Battery Light, what should I do? Options

[celicamike]

I've noticed recently that my battery light has been coming on periodically while I'm driving my '94 GT. It will come on for a second or two then go away, otherwise the car seems to run great. Have any of you experienced this, and more importantly, does anyone know what it means/how to fix it? Thanks.

[GriffGirl]

I believe that means your alternator is about to die. You could go get it tested at an Autozone or Les Schwab (do they have those in SoCal?)

[manphibian]

Check your alternator belt, but most likely time for a new battery. They don't last for ever.

[Hanyo]

do an alternator test.

at night turn on your head lights against a wall.


Take note to see if your head lights are brighter with the engine is on and with the engine is off.



IF the lights are brighter with the engine is running THEN your battery is bad.

IF the lights are brighter with the engine OFF, THEN your alternator is bad.


after those two test, i recommend you bring in your battery to an auto parts store to get your battery load tested. This will help determine what is wrong.

[windowlicker]

the way to see if your alternator is going bad is to take it to a shop and have them load test it with a vat40. does sound like an alternator problem, but also how old is your battery? they typically last on average about 4 years. i would at the very least have the alternator load tested.

[Fastbird]

The battery light WILL NOT come on because of the battery. That light is an indicator for your charging system. If that light is on, either one of two things is happening. Either the alternator quit putting out voltage to run the car and you're running off the battery (but the battery is still being charged, so you might not have starting issues) or.....the alternator quick putting out enough amperage to charge the battery, in which case you'll for sure run into starting issues once the battery gets down low enough on it's charge.

Take your car to Autozone, Advance Auto, pep boys, whomever. They'll do a test for free. My money is on the alternator being bad.

[808celica]

check your battery water level

[celicamike]

I think I solved the problem. I'm sure the battery is fine because I just got a new one, and the alternator was replaced about two years ago. I checked out the alternator and reconnected the electrical plug; it's been fine since. I think the connector might have been loose. Thanks guys, if the light comes back on, I guess I'll have the alternator tested.

[GriffGirl]

check your battery water level

Most batteries are maintenance free, which means he couldn't check the battery water level if he wanted to anyway. You can't add water to batteries any more like back in the old days.

[808celica]

check your battery water level

Most batteries are maintenance free, which means he couldn't check the battery water level if he wanted to anyway. You can't add water to batteries any more like back in the old days.

fo'real 0_o i still can

maybe hawaii is still living in the good 'ol days