Battery Light when Full Throttle ???

[dink182]

Car runs good just running around town, but when I give it a lot of gas, the Battery Light will come on on the dashboard. It goes away when I'm done accelerating. Got any ideas?

[awicks]

I had the same problem that got worse over time. Didn't think it was anything serious until the car died on Christmas day. The alternator died on the wrong day (and in the wrong place).

[dink182]

Eeek. How long did it go before it dies? A couple months, a couple weeks?

Did you also happen to have a weird grinding sound for the first 30 seconds or so when the car was first started?

[awicks]

Started to come on last April, so about eight months before it died. There was no gringing noise.

[roguefive]

I would suggest having your alternator tested. Any Auto Zone or Wal-Mart will do it free of charge. It sound like you have a problem with your charging system. Could be over charging,regulator could be bad...

[dink182]

I went to Murray's and they checked it out good. Said Alternator was fine. Battery was a little low, but it keeps starting fine, and I'm in Michigan and it's really freakin cold this week.

The guy said not to worry about it until it it has a hard time starting the engine.

[Bronco2]

You need to give a lot more info-as far as year,engine etc. But,I did have a Ford Taurus that I worked on that would turn on the alt. lite when the system was OVERCHARGING. Hook a voltmeter to the system and check the alt. output at 4000RPM-it will probably above 14.5.

[dink182]

Thanks for the reply, I might try that. Murray's tested it at 2000 RPMs and they said it was good.

It's the 3.0 V6 with 100K.

BTW, Is the Battery Light (looks like a battery) the same light as the Alternator light?

Thanks-

[Bronco2]

Same lite

[roguefive]

Its been my experence that anything over 14.40 volts is over charging and will fry a battery. When you test your system,test with the load off and on. Meaning,test with just engine running,then test with lights on(high beam) and the A/c on and fan on high.

[Davie128]

Hi: There are a lot of competent?? electrical system checkers that totally avoid cleaning and checking GROUNDS....all should be checked, not just at the battery. Most alternators are bolted up to the engine, hence you have a strong ground....but, look at the body to engine grounds. Remove the connection, inspect for HIDDEN corrosion, clean both connections well, lube with electrically conductive gel to seal against corrosion...not light spray as it migrates away with heat and time...then when reconnecting, be sure the connection is SNUG. It's easy to replace a tapped screw\bolt with a bigger one that will hold tight.

Thanks,
davie128