Battery light

[snowninja]

Came on today and wife said it was flickering yesterday.given the timing belt was just replaced could it be loose causing alternator to complain?

 

[BlackCat914]

Ya, or the connector at the back of it isn't fully seated.

 

[GottaBeTRD]

ya know, ive always seen the battery light come on when I start my car but when ever I've had a low battery or something a long those lines, i've never seen this light come on for any car i've driven. good to know it has some function

 

[shadow247]

I'm pretty sure it is a problem with the alternator. Re-check your connections and go from there.

 

[nissanh]

If light is on... battery is not getting charged. Check the rear wire plug. If it is plugged in... your alternator may be having bad brushes or diodes. Easy fix.

 

[snowninja]

14 volts at the battery while running. 12.8 when not running. Alternator look to be charging.. 13.6 with lights on heater full blast wiper on high and radio on. I'll wait til the light comes on and test again.

 

[nissanh]

Check the voltage when the AC/head lights/wipers on.

 

[snowninja]

Check the voltage when the AC/head lights/wipers on.

Haha. Just did that and edited previous post. 13.6 with it all on.

 

[nissanh]

Seems OK. I get 13.8 volts.

 

[snowninja]

If I push on the wiring connector on the back the motor revs a little and voltage drops to 12.9. This is with all things running on high

 

[nissanh]

strange. If you had a bad connection at the connector, you won't get 13.8. When you press it in, volts drops to 12.9.

I think your alternator has a lose connector inside. may be the IC pack, diode plate or brush. the rear wire plug goes right on to the IC regulator pack.

Have you removed an alternator before?

 

[nissanh]

If this bulb is blown, your battery won't charge too.

 

[rangermenace]

my battery light was going on and off for awhile and when I had it checked they found a short in the alternator, it would short times and be fine others so had the thing replaced. It was under $200 but with labor it come over $300
.
:couch2:

 

[snowninja]

strange. If you had a bad connection at the connector, you won't get 13.8. When you press it in, volts drops to 12.9.

I think your alternator has a lose connector inside. may be the IC pack, diode plate or brush. the rear wire plug goes right on to the IC regulator pack.

Have you removed an alternator before?

I have not removed it before. I am going to swap the alt and take the old one in for a bench test.

 

[snowninja]

my battery light was going on and off for awhile and when I had it checked they found a short in the alternator, it would short times and be fine others so had the thing replaced. It was under $200 but with labor it come over $300
.
:couch2:

That could be what's happening to me.. Well find out when they test it.

 

[snowninja]

If this bulb is blown, your battery won't charge too.

Which bulb?

 

[nissanh]

Which bulb?

The battery bulb in the instrument cluster.

By the way... before you remove the alternator, disconnect your battery.

 

[snowninja]

I replaced the alternator with a $125 ultima from shucks. <ducks and runs for cover>. now it reads 14.4 no matter if idling with nothing on or everything running lights, wipers, heater, etc. I would say at this point the issue is resolved.

In order to get root cause, I still plan to have the old one tested but a question. Do I keep this one (it does have a lifetime warranty) or do I have my original Toyota denso rebuilt (or do I rebuild it myself)? if rebuild myself how much is it going to cost vs having the shop do it.

 

[snowninja]

Tested at autozone and shucks and passed both times.. of note: No light yesterday until the engine warmed up then constant on. Going to drive with new one for a week and see if the problem reproduces.