88 chevy caprice estate wagon

[babiarz]

i drive a 1988 chevrolet caprice estate wagon and i just put a cd player in it..a few days after that the battery light on my car went on and has been on ever since. any guesses at whats wrong with it or how i may be able to fix it?

[bobss396]

It probably has nothing to do with a standard CD player installation, unless something got shorted out in the installation process.

Being that the alternator light is on, I would take it to a local Pep Boys or Sears and get the charging system checked first. Check your belt and all connections first.

Bob

[babiarz]

yeh im going to head over there later today..as i started my car after the last post my service engine light went on, so im going to bring it over and get checked out thanks for the help...id just rather try to figure whats wrong and fix it myself then bring it to a mechanic for somethign real simple and get charged a lot of money

[CD Smalley]

Well all you need is a DVOM, Digitial Volt Ohm Meter, and a paper clip to figure out this problem.

You use the volt meter to test the output of the alternator and the paper clip to get the codes from the computer related to the SES.

I've posted MANY times how to read the codes...

[400wagon]

its probably the alternator. take it off and take it to an autozone or something like that. They can test it and see if its any good. They are real easy to change on the caprice. It may take 10 minutes and basic tools. The part is under $50. If you have any questions about how to do it just ask. Its pretty straightforward though.

[bobss396]

Since you have to disconnect the battery to take out the alternator, with the motor running disconnect the ground (negative) battery terminal, if it stalls out, the system is not charging. Like 400wagon said, more than likely your alternator is shot.

Bob