Battery Light

[RedCavalierRacer]

The other day my battery light came on. I didnt think anything of it because it was only one. Then like the next day it came on again but it came on twice. Next day it came on more and so on and so on. Well not it comes on whenever it wants. It comes on when im going 60 down the highway, It comes on when im sitting at a stop light. I dont know what to do. My buddy told me it might be my alternator. What he told me was to disconnect the battery while my car is running and if my car stays running my alternator is alright. So I did that...but im still thinking its my laternator because when i drive down the road and I punch it my lights dim out(headlights, dash lights, CD player, ETC.) Is there anything or any suggestions that you guys could give me? Oh and add to it, one of my buddies told me that it might be my header. I have a high flow header and he said its to hot under the hood and its melting it. I dont know, I cant tell you but i hope you guys can help me

[mrrob]

Put A Volt Meter on the Battery, It should be reading 14-14.5 volts when the car is running, if the meter shows 12-13volts, you can be the regulator has probably gone!, Therefore a rebuilt Alt should fix the problem, don't forget to get you Battery tested too.

Good Luck!

Mr.Rob

Lic Mech Auto/Truck/Trailer Ect....

[justme2004]

My 97 Cavalier does pretty much the same thing. The alternator was rebuilt by a shop, installed, and ever since, the battery light comes on the majority of the time. The voltage at the battery is good, the connections are clean and tight. Another shop looked at it, could not find anything wrong with the system. It keeps a good charge etc. Just have to put up with the light being on most of the time. Have not tried another rebuilt alternator though.

[richtazz]

NEVER EVER EVER disconnect the battery while the car is running on a fuel injectied vehicle. The voltage spike could kill many EXPENSIVE parts. Use a volt meter like Mrrob said, and compare voltage with the car running and with it off. teh voltage should jump up with the car running, indicating the alt is charging. Check the condition of your serp belt and tensioner, as these could cause the charge light to come on intermittently, due to the belt slipping

[RedCavalierRacer]

Where would I get one of those battery Voltage meters? and how much would it cost?

[jason322]

I had the same problem and it was the alternator. My battery light was on then 2 days later abs light went on then 3 days after that I was sitting at a light and the airbag light and several other lights came on so I pulled into a parking lot and the car died.

[RedCavalierRacer]

Oh yeah, Guess what? today my alternator died. I was driving around and then a bunch of lights on my console went on and my speedometer started to tweak, Just to ass to it, it started to backfire. It was so weird. Does anyone know where i can get a high temp alt? i need one because im pretty positive that my header is the thing that caused it....

[jason322]

Score one for me. I just baught one from autozone with a lifetime warranty.

[mrrob]

Check your Flyers, most parts suppliers carry Voltmeters that start at under $20.00 and they can go as high as $200+ (Fluke)

Your Basic volt/ohm/amp Meter will do the job, I see them at CDN Tire all the time on sale for like $19-$40 CND!

Anyways good luck!


Mr.Rob

Lic Mech Auto/Truck/Trailer Ect.....

[RedCavalierRacer]

Well, I was looking at a High amp alt. for my car considering my sound system. And i think they got what I need. It said the alt. has high temp bearings. I dont know if thats what i nedd or not, but thats what im thinking I need. I just hope it doesnt go out again.

Hey Jadon, how much did your lifetime warranty alt. cost at autozone?

[jason322]

110 with core.

You can probably find cheaper but I didn't have time to look. Needed the car the next day.