HELP! Battery Light on - Battery is good

[mariedylanj]

Hi everyone,

I started my car this morning and the battey light was on. I drove it to work fine. shut it off and turned it back on....the light was still on. The Manual says possibly a loose generator drive belt. Where can i look to see if this is the problem. I am alone going home tonight and no one to check it till i can get it to a shop. Any help would be great as soon as possible so I know im safe to travel home tonight.

MariedylanJ

[GTP Dad]

The usual reason that the battery light comes on has to do with the alternator not producing current. If you continue to run the vehicle, the battery will drain and probably stop on you. It could indicate a loose belt that is not allowing the alternator to turn but it could also indicate the alternator has gone bad. Don't drive it too much especially after dark since the headlights will drain the battery rapidly. Have it checked asap.

[bubbleandSqueak]

I Have a 1999 GA and the battery light comes on when i have the cd player on and not the car, but when the car is on the licht is sill on. I have drove the car like this for like a week now and just today the car did not want to start. I do not know how good my battery is cause GA's don't have a lil meter. if you can please help. thanks

[GTP Dad]

There are a couple of ways to check the battery. If you have an inexpensive volt meter check across the terminals. You should read at least 12 volts. If you have less than that you will need to recharge the battery. As far as the battery light coming on when you have the CD on, do you have a set of base speakers? If you do you may be draining too much power from the battery while using the CD. If not you could have a short in the CD player that is causing an extra drain on the battery. There is an easy way to check the alternator to see if it is charging. I would suggest that you recharge the battery and check the belt. If the belt is worn and slipping replace it. If not then you need to check for a short in the CD player. If nothing is found check the grounds on the remainder of the car to make sure they are good. Also check the battery terminals and make sure they are clean this can cause the battery not to take a charge from the alternator. Hope this helps!

[bubbleandSqueak]

ok thinks i will try that

[richtazz]

follow GTPDads advice, but compare battery voltage with the car off and with it running. The voltage should increase with the car running. If it remains the same or drops, your alternator isn't charging. Watch the belt as the car runs. If you notice any up and down movement of the tensioner, the spring inside may be bad, or the pulley bearing is going. The belt should track smoothly, with little or no movement in the tensioner.