battery light :(

[johnwc723]

well i just changed my alternator about 3 weeks ago and it has been working fine about 14.5V coming off of it, a couple days ago the BATTERY light has been coming on (sometimes and sometimes not) but it will stay on until i turn of the car. what exactly does the battery light mean or what could be the issue (i hope its not the alternator!!!! :( )

[89accordex]

Maybe your battery is weak and if it is it will take your altenator down again.

[k-roy]

If you get a solid 14 volts when the car is on the alternator is doin good.
Check the battery in the morning and if you get less than 12v thats probably the culprit.

[johnwc723]

so the battery actually has something to do with the battery light? , the battery is pretty crappy but how does the car know if the battery is working or not (its always 14v as long as the car is on?)

[89accordex]

If the battery is weak even when the car is running the voltage will still be lower.

[k-roy]

I just had a thought. Make sure the battery posts and the cables are nice and clean. A battery post/cable cleaning tool is a good ivestment.
Then check the grounds to make sure you are getting a good contact. That could hinder your battery from being charged.

[cruznz]

check your belt tension too

[x3r0]

check your belt tension too
Its a must that you recharge your battery b4 installing a new alternator... because theres often a good chance of ruining the new alternator with it trying to charge up a empty battery.

Battery light only comes on when the power isn't right (battery or alternator)

;-) most auto stores check batteries for free.

[shepherd79]

sometimes you get defect. so i would say go to autozone and they can test the alternator without removing it.

[johnwc723]

hmm maybe i did ruin my alternator? well the battery wasnt fully charged when i put the alternator in there, how would i destroy it like that tho? hmm i hope there is at least 90days on that alternator so i can get a new one, i did check the voltage on it and everything is clean and the car is running at about 10V and if i take the terminals off the battery the car dies (didnt used to happen... hmm) this sucks i just spent a $100 and froze my fukin fingers off in the cold puttin that in... it looks like i might have to do it again :(

[soljaboy2000]

I had that same problem one time and it was because of the battery....so I got a new one and everythings okay