Battery Light During A/C

[FordBoss88]

The battery light on my Grand Caravan will intermittently come on when the air-conditioner is running. When this happens, the display lights will pulse. Does anyone know what is causing this? If so, how do you repair it?


Much Thanks.

[RIP]

What year, what engine, any recent maintenance? Could be a worn drive belt that's slipping. Could be an old weak alternator that can't keep up. If it persisits I would take the alternator to AutoZone or the like where they will test it free of charge.

If it's happening at idle it could be the idle up function of whatever van you have is not increasing the idle with the A/C on as it should. In other words, the engine rpm isn't high enough to let the alterator do it's job.

[vipergg]

Originally Posted by FordBoss88

The battery light on my Grand Caravan will intermittently come on when the air-conditioner is running. When this happens, the display lights will pulse. Does anyone know what is causing this? If so, how do you repair it?


Much Thanks.

sounds like the drive belt is loose or stretched or the tensioner is not not keeping it tight . When you engage the AC this put a lot more load on the belts and it is probably causing the belt to slip .

[jsinton]

The battery may also be weak, leading the alternator to charge a lot, thus losing a lot of juice. Anyway, sounds like a weak system. Yes, take the alternator to Autozone.

[FordBoss88]

My vehicle is a 2002 Grand Caravan EX with the 3.8L engine. I apologize, that should have been included in the original post.

I have always thought that the battery was weak (just purchased the vehicle last month).

It starts, but not with authority. I even contacted my local Dodge dealership to procure a price for a replacement battery.

So based on the excellent suggestions, I should remove the alternator first and have it evaluated? If that checks out (with alternator removed, I would replace the serpentine anyway), I then should replace the battery? And if that checks out, I should replace the tensioner? Is this all correct?

Thank You

[jsinton]

Why don't you just go to Walmart and get the cheap Everstart battery? It's rated #1 by Consumers Reports, and it's real cheap.

[Bernard Feltzer]

Have fun playing with your van.

http://forum.chryslerminivan.net/showthread.php?t=4732

[Mrbizness1]

Originally Posted by jsinton

Why don't you just go to Walmart and get the cheap Everstart battery? It's rated #1 by Consumers Reports, and it's real cheap.

Not sure what real cheap means. I paid $59.00 for a Maxx 1n for my van in 10/05 and last month I bought a Maxx 35N for a Altima $69.00. When its extra cold they sell allot batteries and the lower priced ones are the first to go. I lucked out on a Blazer for $52.00 when it was still warm in January.

[jsinton]

Well, the MAXX batteries are not rated very highly by CR oddly enough. But the standard Everstart batteries are rated the best in their class. I usually pay about $40 or $50 when I need a battery, isn't that cheap?

[Mrbizness1]

Originally Posted by jsinton

Well, the MAXX batteries are not rated very highly by CR oddly enough. But the standard Everstart batteries are rated the best in their class. I usually pay about $40 or $50 when I need a battery, isn't that cheap?

That is cheap, but I don't think you will get one at Walmart for that price anymore.

On Consumers web site they seem to list them together in several categories

group 65 # 3 Everstart / Maxx
group 75 # 3 Everstart / Maxx a c r best buy.
group 24 # 2 and # 5 Everstart
group 78 # 1 Everstart/ Maxx a c r best buy
group 35 no walmart batteries listed.

Looking at the way they list the results on their website it looks as if they are not separating the Everstart from the Everstart Maxx when they are rated the same. They only have one price listed when their real costs are not the same. I have lost a little confidence in Consumer's rating over the years.
Good Luck

[jsinton]

I think also that Walmart will install your battery for free, and check your charging system also for free. Not to mention that there are Walmarts everywhere. Once I bought a battery off the shelf and installed for a woman. When she got home to try it, she killed it somehow (it worked fine for me, but I guess it was sitting on the shelf too long and wasn't charged.) She thought I was an automotive idiot and had her car towed to Sears for a battery replacement. I returned the new Walmart battery, and they gave me the money back no problem. I guess it all worked out for the best because she doesn't ask me to fix her car anymore. Sears will also install a battery and test your charging system for free, but the Diehard batteries are a little more expensive, although they have a good reputation.