Battery discharge lamp

[raymarquise]

94 voyager, 3.0L
My battery died today and I can't tell for sure if it is the battery or the alternator not charging. When I switch on the ignition with the engine off, there is no battery discharge lamp lit, so how do I know if the alternator is charging when the engine is running?? Shouldn't there be a discharge lamp lit with the ignition on, engine off??

[Bear]

Start her up and then put a volt meter on the battery posts (+to+ and - to -), set scale at 15 volt DC and you should read about 14.0 Volts DC if the alternator is working good, if less than 11.0 VDC I would suspect the alternator.

[raymarquise]

Followed your advice and the alternator checks out OK at 14.1 Volts. Still, shouldn't I see a battery discharge lamp illuminated on the dash with the ignition on, engine off??
Thanks.

[jpb53]

Yes all warning ind lamps should illuminate at key on. Probably a burned out bulb.

[raymarquise]

OK, I finally did see the battery lamp. when I switch the ignition on, it flashes on for one second then goes off. Why wouldn't it stay on with the engine not running???