I replaced the original battery that had 600 cold cranking amps, and 540 cranking amps with a battery that was rated 540cca, and 420 ca. It starts great, but my battery light is on. Do you think that it is undersized?
2006-10-09 08:17:18 · 4 answers · asked by Bistro 7 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
This light was never on before. Otherwise I would have checked the alternator before the changing of the battery.
2006-10-09 08:19:41 · update #1
The physical size of the battery, -& the "cranking" amps of the battery mean nothing to the alternator! 12 volts has been 12 volts, since voltage measurements became standard, (a long-long time ago!)
The only difference the cranking amps would make is in how well it starts in really cold weather, (as available power output in really cold batteries decrease considerably), -I am talking 20 degrees below zero and colder! Of course if you kept cranking a engine that wouldn't start,-- eventeually the battery would run down, - the bigger one would take longer!
As for the charging light, you have something going on with the alternator, or the regulator. You should have the charging system checked out (some places will do it in the vehicle - for a charge). But there are places that you can take the alternater and have them check the alternator for free (be sure you check the voltage regulator, (if it is not in alternator), some older vehicles have the regulator seperate from the alternator, - some have it internally! Don't just "run out" and buy an alternator and "plunk" it in (unles you have money to burn), as ther are occasions where something unusual happens, and the alternator/regulator are just fine, - in which case you have invested extra cash, and still have to hunt down the problem!
2006-10-09 09:34:49 · answer #1 · answered by guess78624 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Battery light has nothing to do with the size of the battery!! You have charging problems!! I think the alternator is on its way out!!! Do this small test and you will know if it is your alternator while the truck is running unhook the negative cable off the battery if the truck shuts off then you need a alternator!! If it does not shut off then u you have to check the wiring and the fuses!! Good luck!!!
2006-10-09 22:59:22 · answer #2 · answered by SOLUN macedonia 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would still check the alternator. The battery might be a little undersized for starting but it should be plenty big to run the car when it is running unless your running some ginormous stereo system.
2006-10-09 15:23:17 · answer #3 · answered by Captleemo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say that your voltage regulator is reading it as overcharging the battery. Go with the OEM size or larger, never smaller.
2006-10-09 15:21:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋