Battery light on dash

[Japsfinest]

So I unplugged my negative battery terminal because I was going to be working under the dash and unplugging boby harness plugs. I was able to get behind the dash with out unplugging anything(other than the battery).

Once I everything back together I went ahead and replaced the negative terminal, gave the truck a minute or so and turned the key. I now have a bright red battery light on. I plugged in my obd2 scanner and do not have any codes, but yet the light is on.

I don't want to take the truck to the stealership without trying to figure it out my self first.

Any one have any input or suggestions?

 

[nashman69g]

does it start?

 

[scanny]

I would try to unplug both positive and negative, wait for 5-10 min, then connect battery back and see what happens. But maybe it's better to wait for some really knowledgeble guys to reply : )

 

[Japsfinest]

does it start?

Truck starts and drives like normal. I am sure its a false alarm, I have put 200+ miles with the light on, I have been running my radio loud, AC full blast, lights on, (trying to drain the battery if it actually has a fault). I have turned the truck off and left the lights and radio on for a while and then it fires right up.

I figure if it had a fault I would have been left stranded already.

I will try to unplug both terminals and leave it unplugged for a while and report back.

 

[harper7]

That red warning light that looks like a battery is a "Charge Warning Light" not necessarily a battery warning but warns of a problem with one of the the charging system components including the alternator .What exactly were you doing up behind the dash as you might have pinched a wire , pulled one loose from a connector or something to give the false warning if it is indeed a false warning.

Here is the entire circuit for the "Red Charging Light" .Antman ,the wiring guru, can probably trace the exact wires,plugs and locations.:boink:

From the Repair Manual-Power Source/Network-Charging System

And here is how the manual tells you to check the light but I don't think this takes into account that someone just worked around wires up behind the dash and could have facked one up.
6. INSPECT CHARGE WARNING LIGHT CIRCUIT
(a) Turn the ignition switch to O N . Check that the charge warning light comes on.
(b) Start the engine and check that the light goes off.
If the light does not operate as specified, troubleshoot the charge warning light circuit per step 7 and 8.

7. INSPECT CHARGING CIRCUIT WITHOUT LOAD
(a) Connect a voltmeter and ammeter to the charging circuit
as follows .

Text in Illustration
* 1 Battery
* 2 Terminal B
* 3 Generator
(1 ) Disconnect the wire from terminal B of the generator,
and then connect it to the negative (-) lead of an
ammeter.
(2 ) Connect the positive (+) lead of the ammeter to
terminal B of the generator.
(3 ) Connect the pos itive (+) lead of a voltmeter to the
positive (+) terminal of the battery.
(4 ) G round the negative (-) lead of the voltmeter.
(b) Check the charging circuit.
(1 ) Maintain the engine speed at 2 0 0 0 rpm and check the reading on the ammeter and voltmeter.
Standard current:
1 0 A or less
Standard voltage:
1 3 .2 to 1 4 .8 V
I f the voltmeter reading is higher than the standard voltage, replace the generator.
HINT:
If the battery is not fully charged, the ammeter reading will sometimes be higher than the standard current.

8. INSPECT CHARGING CIRCUIT WITH LOAD
(a) With the engine running at 2 0 0 0 rpm, turn the high beam headlights on and turn the heater blower
switch to the H I position.
(b) Check the reading on the ammeter.
Standard current:
3 0 A or higher
I f the ammeter reading is less than the standard current, repair the generator.

HINT:
If the battery is fully charged, the indication will sometimes be less than the standard current. If this is the
case, add more electrical load (operate the wipers, rear window defogger, etc.) and check the reading on the
ammeter again.