It's a 2001 Ford Mustang. I replaced the alternator and the batter a month or so ago. The car runs fine, the battery light just won't go off. The voltage gage hasn't moved, still sits in the middle. I can't figure it out.
2006-07-25 06:58:47 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Hello,
The battery light indicates that the battery is not being charged properly (from the alternator/regulator point of view). I don't know about the Mustang, but you can check these:
0. Do you have charge? Get a multimeter, start the engine and meausre the voltage on the battery terminals. When the charging system works fine, you should have 13.6 to 14.5 Volts, regardless of engine speed and electric consumers turned in. More or less is a problem (under/overcharging), check the voltage regulator and it's connections.
1. Is your drive belt properly installed and fastened? Check it by trying to turn the alternator pulley when the engine is not running.
When the belt is fastened and OK, you won't be able to turn the pulley, or with the crankshaft turning too. When you can turn it, but the drivebelt stays still, or the drivebelt turns, but the cracnkshaft stay still, then the belt slips, so it cannot transfer the torque required by the alternator. In this case you have to replace/fasten the belt.
2. Is the voltage regulator correctly connected to the alternator?
(B+, DF, ground lines ?) Without the field control of the regulator, your alternator is unable to build up its magnetic field, thus providing insufficient voltage. Try out the following: start the engine, and rev up till redline. When this makes the alternator come to life (and the light goes out), then the alternator has no regulation, only the remanent field of the stator in the alternator stims the alternator. In this case check the regulator and the connections.
Tip: don't rely on voltage gagues in cars. When you want a real measurment, check the voltage on the battery terminals using a digital multimeter! (even the cheapest one is far better than any gauge)
Hope this helps!
2006-07-25 07:31:23 · answer #1 · answered by Blazs (Skoda 120GL) 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The battery light comes on when there is a difference between the output from the alternator and the power required from the car plus battery. If the light is coming on and off when driving I suspect that there may be a problem with your alternator out put. Its easy to check with a multi meter. Connect it up to the two terminals on the battery, start the car up and you should have at least 14volts. If this figure fluctuates up and down, check all the electrical connections to make sure they are all tight and clean. If this does not solve the problem then you will need to change the alternator. Ja.
2016-03-26 20:56:34 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The gage can be bad. You dident say if the battery is being charged or not.
Get a voltage meter and check the alt. The screw on the back that says bat should have 13.5-14.5 volts at this screw. Does it???
Then check the battery does it say the same voltage? Less? more?
IF it is not the same it is possable thqat the wire running from this screw( on the alt to the battery is burned open) If so just run another wite from this screw( on the back of the alt) to the battery and check the gage again.
It could be a bad gage, a bad voltage reg, or bad wires.
Hope this helps
2006-07-25 07:09:41 · answer #3 · answered by goldwing127959 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you check the battery wires, Some times they lose connection. Might need replacing. Take to a service station and some can put a electrical trace on it , see where the problem is. Good luck Pem
2006-07-25 07:05:23 · answer #4 · answered by Patricia M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
make sure the battery has distilled H2O and is fully charged if battery light is still on then with the vehicle running take of the negative terminal connection if the engine stops its a faulty alternator
2006-07-25 07:05:02 · answer #5 · answered by MOGLE 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read the answer above by: Blazs (Skoda..
Bazs..... Got this one dead on. Most of the comments above his should be ignored.
Follow the checks he recommended, it could be as simple as the serpentine belt is slipping. Has oil or grease on the pulley.
It could be the other things but check the obvious first.
Good luck: Grumpy
2006-07-25 07:42:24 · answer #6 · answered by Grumpy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ther could be a problem with the indicator. Take your car and have an engine diagnostic done and that should tell you exactly what is wrong.
2006-07-25 07:06:27 · answer #7 · answered by catmanbigwil 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check your battery water and your alternator.
2006-07-25 07:02:20 · answer #8 · answered by JAM123 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could b u voltage regulator that is faulty
2006-07-25 07:03:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you might have a bad solenoid or a bad battery cable or connection problem
2006-07-25 07:23:41 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋