Charging System Light - Not battery/alternator

[cyclingmary]

Hi,

I have a 2001 Alero V6 50,000 miles. The "charging system light" comes on for a few seconds shortly after starting to drive then goes off. Sometimes it comes on a second time but again goes off after a couple of seconds. They put a new alternator in first. That didn't solve it so then they put a new a battery in. Still have the problem. The serpentine belt was also replaced recently.

Any suggestions?
Thanks

[mcrosby]

It sounds to me like the mechanics have shot gunned the problem and that did not fix it. They are going to have to put some test device, like an amp meter and a volt meter, and simulate the conditions you have when the problem occurs. It could be wiring, like the battery cables or the feed from the altenator, or it could be that the PCM (if that is what monitors the charging/battery condition in this car) has a bad wire going to it or the minitoring device itself could be bad. The mechanics are going to have drill down deeper to find the root cause.

[JohnGTP]

Is it actually causing any problems other than just the light?? It could just be a bad sensor that is causing the light.

[cyclingmary]

The car runs fine. I'm just not comfortable driving with a warning light going on and off. At some point it may actually be indicating a real problem and I'll breakdown somewhere.

I take my car to an independent mechanic and he doesn't have the right equipment to test the electrical system. I really hate going to a dealership.

Do you know where the sensor for the charging system is or what that part is actually called?

Thanks

Mary