Is the battery light on but alternator working fine?
Hi the battery light came on the other day although the volts were fine (lights on too) and that was confirmed with a voltmeter on the battery terminals. Alternator swapped and the same results.
What should I do if my alternator keeps dying?
The alternator is essentially a generator and it keeps your battery charged while supplying additional electrical power for the other systems in the vehicle. If you have a new alternator and your battery keeps dying on you, then there’s definitely a problem that you’re going to need to look into.
How can I tell if my alternator is working or not?
If you’re not 100% sure, you can use a multimeter, or a voltmeter, to check the current coming from your battery. Attach the positive lead to the positive battery terminal, that’s the red one, and then the negative leave it to the black terminal. With the engine off you should be getting a reading of 12.5 volts on your multimeter.
Is the ground fine going to the alternator?
Yes the ground is fine going to the alternator, both battery terminals are cleaned on both ends. At the connector level at the alternator no residue, plug looked fine. On very first event 3 weeks ago, the very first sign of battery being lit up at higway speed, I had both battery terminals with green deposit.
Why does the battery warning light come on after replacing the alternator?
A relatively common “side-effect” of replacing a battery and/or alternator in a car is to have the voltage (battery) warning light come on. This is especially true in late-model vehicles with their more sophisticated internal diagnostic systems.
What was the problem with my alternator going out?
I was thinking that the problem was probably the alternator and as I was trying to get to my house the instruments began to go out. First the tach, then the speedometer, and then the accelerator pedal was unresponsive. I was able to limp for a little while, but it eventually totally quit.
What happens when you change the battery in a car?
A relatively common “side-effect” of replacing a battery and/or alternator in a car is to have the voltage (battery) warning light come on. This is especially true in late-model vehicles with their more sophisticated internal diagnostic systems. There are usually two things…
What happens to power steering after an alternator is replaced?
Usually when brakes pads are replaced and the rotors surfaced, it may make the brakes feel stiff for a while until they wear in, but it shouldn’t impact the power steering at all. The only thing I could think of… Engine sludge?
When do I get battery / alternator VISIT WORKSHOP warning?
Typically you get BATTERY/ALTERNATOR VISIT WORKSHOP warning when the electrical system voltage in the car is below 12.6 volt. When the car is running the alternator produces electricity and the voltage should be above 13.5 volt.
What to do if your alternator is bad in your car?
One thing you can do to troubleshoot your car is to go to Advance Auto Parts or AutoZone and have them do a FREE alternator / battery check. This test may be able to point you in the right direction. 3. Secondary Battery / Auxiliary Battery. Some Mercedes Benz models such as the E Class or the CLS Class have a secondary battery.
What should voltage be when alternator is running?
When the car is running the alternator produces electricity and the voltage should be above 13.5 volt. If you have a multimeter like this one, you can connect it to the battery terminals to get a voltage reading. Main battery is near the end of it’s life. Secondary (Aux) Battery needs replacing (if applicable).
Why does the battery light come on after the alternator is replaced?
This would make the Battery Light come on. It is also possible that there is a problem with the fusible link or the alternator fuse for the charging system.
Typically you get BATTERY/ALTERNATOR VISIT WORKSHOP warning when the electrical system voltage in the car is below 12.6 volt. When the car is running the alternator produces electricity and the voltage should be above 13.5 volt.
One thing you can do to troubleshoot your car is to go to Advance Auto Parts or AutoZone and have them do a FREE alternator / battery check. This test may be able to point you in the right direction. 3. Secondary Battery / Auxiliary Battery. Some Mercedes Benz models such as the E Class or the CLS Class have a secondary battery.
When the car is running the alternator produces electricity and the voltage should be above 13.5 volt. If you have a multimeter like this one, you can connect it to the battery terminals to get a voltage reading. Main battery is near the end of it’s life. Secondary (Aux) Battery needs replacing (if applicable).
Do you need to check the battery first before checking the alternator?
Check the battery first. The battery is needed to start the vehicle, which, in turn spins the alternator at sufficient speed to keep the battery charged.
How to know if your alternator is running or not?
As a rule, if the voltmeter is higher when the engine is running than when the engine is not, you can confidently assume that the alternator is charging. 2 Listen to the alternator while the engine is running.
When does the alternator turn on the idiot light?
When the engine starts and gets up to a high enough rpm for the alternator to start putting out voltage, there is a diode inside that takes some of the output voltage and featured back to the terminal that goes to the idiot light.
What should I do if my alternator has failed?
The Chicago Tribune reports that if the alternator has failed, a warning light will normally come on. Most vehicles have a specific light that is battery shaped that will come on to signal if there is an issue. Some may even say ALT. Alternators often have outputs between 13 and 15 volts.
When does the alternator warning light shut off?
When you start the engine, the car will check to make sure the alternator is outputting the correct voltage. This warning light will shut off after a few seconds if the computer has determined that the alternator is functional.
What does it mean when your alternator stops charging the battery?
Indicator Light On. Usually, the first sign that your charging system is in trouble is a “battery,” “ALT,” or “CHARGE” warning light illuminating on your instrument panel while driving. It means that for some reason, the alternator has stopped charging the battery and your car is running on battery power.
When the engine starts and gets up to a high enough rpm for the alternator to start putting out voltage, there is a diode inside that takes some of the output voltage and featured back to the terminal that goes to the idiot light.
Hi the battery light came on the other day although the volts were fine (lights on too) and that was confirmed with a voltmeter on the battery terminals. Alternator swapped and the same results.
Why does the battery warning light keep coming on?
If you drive more than twenty or thirty minutes battery light comes on and stays on. After another few minutes all warnings lights flash and all gauges freeze, then power steering goes out and car dies completely. Had new alternator tested and its fine just put new battery in. Do not know what else to do.
Why is the battery light on on my 4.6L?
Broken wire coming off the alternator. It may not look broken but it could be broke inside the insulation. That was the story with my 4.6L. The battery light would come on and off, wiggled the single grey wire and it would turn the light on and off.
Is the battery still on after a new battery?
I chanced it when I needed a new alternator, I got a new alternator from Advance Auto, their Carquest 130 amp one, and it is working fine so far, but has a lifetime warranty. One thing when testing alternators is many times they will test fine for the short test when cold on the test bench, but when hot they won’t charge worth a darn.