could it be the starter

[mbazid]

Hi, driving home today (99 sunfire) the battery light came on. Everything still works like the lights, radio etc. When I got home I tried to restart to see if the light comes back on but wont start. I don’t think the battery is dead because all of the electronics work and I cant jump it. The alternator seems ok because there were no related problems such as overheating or rpms going all wonky. What else could the problem be? could it be the starter?

[GTP Dad]

If you were driving and the battery light came on the I suspect the problem is with the alternator. Regardless of the fact that all of the accessories work the problem is probably inside the alternator. The starter won't work due to the fact that there is not enough amps left in the battery to turn the starter over but there is enough amperage to work the lights.

One other possibility is that the starter solenoid is bad. This can cause voltage issues since the majority of the power to the car goes through the starter solenoid.

I would pull the alternator and have it tested. It should be putting out over 13 volts. I suspect the alternator has gone bad and is putting out enough power to keep everything working but not enough to charge the battery.