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I know this means the charging system is not working and the car could suddenly die at anytime. I checked the voltage at the battery and it's 12.5. With the car running it's 10.3. What part of the charcging system typically breaks? Is there a regulator that I can replace or is it built in the alternator? I have a 2000 S70 SE with 130k miles.
The alternator is not charging the battery. Could be alternator, voltage regulator (which is usually in the alternator) , dirty/loose connections. First I would inspect all relevant electrical connections, clean & tighten. If no change -- replace alternator.
But be sure to fully charge the battery before you run the new alternator (follow alternator installation instructions).
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when the battery light came on, that means you have to check the voltage at the battery---(start up the car and check at idle the voltage at the battery terminals with a multimeter) 13.5v to 14.5 is ok...less than 12.6 alternator is bad---. sometimes the charging system is working good but the battery light is on that means bad alternator too.. (CHECK FOR DAMAGE FUSES AT THE FUSE BOX) OR DISCONECTED WIRE AT THE ALTERNATOR..
Hello and have you tested the voltage at the battery with a voltmeter should be right around 13.5 to 14.3 volts if it less then this at anytime the check charging will come on to tell you the voltage is low output to the battery witch if it does drop the problem is usually the voltage regulator. Also the reason if it is on and then you shut it off and restart the light goes out is because you have just pulled a bunch of power from the battery to start the vehicle so the regulator opens up to full charge to replace the power loss. but could be a problem once the voltage gets back to normal the regulator doesn't know what voltage it needs to maintain so it just stops charging instead if trickle charging
You have a problem in the battery charging system, have an Autozone test it, more than likely the Alternator has failed. A battery light does not mean you have a battery problem problem, it means the charging system voltage is lower than the battery voltage.
Hello
The reason the battery light is on is that the charging system voltage is below the battery voltage, this means the charging system is not working correctly, since you already replaced the Alternator for I assume the same problem, unless you got a defective rebuilt (which is poss if bought from Autozone or one of the other discount parts stores) the charging system problem is not the Alternator but lies elsewhere in the electrical system. Use a volt meter and check the voltage at the battery cables with the engine running at high idle (at least 1000 RPM) the voltage should be at least 13.4 to about 14.2 Volts DC. This is also most likely the cause of the light that is on that you say looks like a pump due to the low charging system voltage. As to the radio it is in theft lock, this happens anytime the battery is disconnected, you will need to enter the unique security code for your radio, if you are not the original owner this may be a problem, as the little card with the code and the instructions to enter it often gets misplaced. You will likely end up at the dealer who can access the Chrysler factory computer and retrieve the code, there may be a charge for this.
It can mean 2 things, different cars have different lights, if it was a ford, and the battery light came on, it would mean it was charging. If your bmw light comes on, it could mean it is low,, needs charging,, or is charging. I would check the battery cond before I went any farther. Check the voltage at park, nothing on, not running, then fire it up and check the voltage again. Check the water level in the battery, then check the electrolytic fluid in the battery with one of those floaty ball things. they work great. My wife's battery just died, no warning, went down to 5 volts, worked fine in the morning, 4:00, it was deader than a doughnut. Check it out.
Hi:
The battery light means that your charging system isn't working, so you most likely have a bad alternator, or connection to the battery.
You can test your alternator with a volt meter.
First,get your battery 100% charged up. It should read about 12.6 volts.
Next, start your car, and check the voltage across the battery. It should be at least 14 volts. If not, you are not charging your battery.
Most auto parts stores will check out your battery or alternator for free, if you stop by and don't own or can borrow a volt meter.
Check the alternator is not faulty.
The battery terminal voltage when engine is running should be approx 14.5V with headlights or venilation blower motor running.
The battery light indicator 'on' usually means the alternator is not charging.
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