Intermittent Battery Light
11-24-2005, 10:40 PM
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Intermittent Battery Light
My Battery light has been coming on but not all the time. The first time it happened, I drove straight to O'rielly's (where I got the alternator and have a warranty) to get it checked out and there were no problems. I've kept going for a week now and the light is on more and more. Tonight, I didn't go out becasue the lights seemed dim. I have all my tools ready to take to work that I will need for an alternator change. It's going to be cold. I'm pretty sure that's gotta be it.
11-25-2005, 04:43 AM
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It's not uncommon for a rebuilt alternator to be bad right out of the box. Keep your tools and receipt handy and give yourself a pat on the back for getting one with a warranty.
Nothing else I can think of outside of a loose cable will cause that.
Nothing else I can think of outside of a loose cable will cause that.
11-25-2005, 06:43 AM
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have you tested your battery also...if your battery is starting to go it will put a very heavy strain on the alternator and your bat. light will come on...Also double check your belt tension, it sounds silly but if it got a lil loose somehow than it will be intermitten in its operation of the alternator when weather changes or it gets a bit wet from dew...etc.
11-25-2005, 11:29 PM
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The battery was new this summer.
I drove to work and the O'rielly's is just accross the street. The batt light was on the whole way (thankfully I don't need headlights in the day). I called the parts store on the way to make sure they had the alt on the shelf (they did). I went in and told them I needed it checked. They have a tool to check it while it's in the car which is nice. So I got the younger guy, who I don't think is that bright, to check it out. He hooked it up and said my battery was low and needed charged. I said "No kidding, That's becasue I think the alternator is bad and not charging it." So I started the car so he could measure the alt. output. He said it was weak. COOL. I bought the new alt. and drove accross the street and had the new one in the car 15 min. later. I had no more batt light all day. Took the old alt back to get my $200 back from the warranty and I'm golden. I do need to check the water in the battery soon just to know.
Thanks for the extra input and knowledge guys.
I drove to work and the O'rielly's is just accross the street. The batt light was on the whole way (thankfully I don't need headlights in the day). I called the parts store on the way to make sure they had the alt on the shelf (they did). I went in and told them I needed it checked. They have a tool to check it while it's in the car which is nice. So I got the younger guy, who I don't think is that bright, to check it out. He hooked it up and said my battery was low and needed charged. I said "No kidding, That's becasue I think the alternator is bad and not charging it." So I started the car so he could measure the alt. output. He said it was weak. COOL. I bought the new alt. and drove accross the street and had the new one in the car 15 min. later. I had no more batt light all day. Took the old alt back to get my $200 back from the warranty and I'm golden. I do need to check the water in the battery soon just to know.
Thanks for the extra input and knowledge guys.
11-26-2005, 12:32 AM
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Originally Posted by Highmile
The battery was new this summer.
I drove to work and the O'rielly's is just accross the street. The batt light was on the whole way (thankfully I don't need headlights in the day). I called the parts store on the way to make sure they had the alt on the shelf (they did). I went in and told them I needed it checked. They have a tool to check it while it's in the car which is nice. So I got the younger guy, who I don't think is that bright, to check it out. He hooked it up and said my battery was low and needed charged. I said "No kidding, That's becasue I think the alternator is bad and not charging it." So I started the car so he could measure the alt. output. He said it was weak. COOL. I bought the new alt. and drove accross the street and had the new one in the car 15 min. later. I had no more batt light all day. Took the old alt back to get my $200 back from the warranty and I'm golden. I do need to check the water in the battery soon just to know.
what the hell kind of battery do you have that you can check the water inside...most automotive batteries today are maintenence free
Thanks for the extra input and knowledge guys.
I drove to work and the O'rielly's is just accross the street. The batt light was on the whole way (thankfully I don't need headlights in the day). I called the parts store on the way to make sure they had the alt on the shelf (they did). I went in and told them I needed it checked. They have a tool to check it while it's in the car which is nice. So I got the younger guy, who I don't think is that bright, to check it out. He hooked it up and said my battery was low and needed charged. I said "No kidding, That's becasue I think the alternator is bad and not charging it." So I started the car so he could measure the alt. output. He said it was weak. COOL. I bought the new alt. and drove accross the street and had the new one in the car 15 min. later. I had no more batt light all day. Took the old alt back to get my $200 back from the warranty and I'm golden. I do need to check the water in the battery soon just to know.
what the hell kind of battery do you have that you can check the water inside...most automotive batteries today are maintenence free
Thanks for the extra input and knowledge guys.
11-26-2005, 10:05 PM
#7
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Originally Posted by Civic2Scooby
what the hell kind of battery do you have that you can check the water inside...most automotive batteries today are maintenence free