anyone know??? should i get a new battery? or have it checked and see if its the alternator and how much would that cost?
its a 1989 buick custom
battery was changed about 3-4 years ago
2007-02-26 08:36:38 · 12 answers · asked by socosurf4 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You definitely have a bad alternator. That's the only thing that would make the battery light come on.
2007-02-26 08:42:15 · answer #1 · answered by ToriAnn55 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is very likely the alternator or some part connected to it. - Your car is probably running on the battery - which means the battery is being used to produce the spark in the spark plugs. - Expect the battery to go dead soon - at which time you won't be able to get started even if someone gives you a jump with jumper cables.
Testing to see if it is an alternator related problem should not be difficult. - All you have to do is put a volt meter across the terminals of the battery when the engine is off and then again when it is on - the voltage should go up if the alternator is producing a charge. -
There is also a possibility that there is something wrong with your low battery light.
2007-02-26 08:46:44 · answer #2 · answered by Franklin 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you have a volt meter there is an easy way to tell at home.
Set the volt meter to a range 0 - 24 volts DC
With the engine and all accessories off, connect the volt meter to the battery. It should read 12 volts. If it is less than 12 volts, it could be either the alternator or the battery.
Start the engine. Turn off all accessories.
Being careful of rotating parts, connect the volt meter to the leads of the battery.
If the volt meter reads between 14 an 16 volts, the alternator and voltage regulator is working correctly. Anything else and you have a problem with the alternator or voltage regulator.
If the alternator checks good bring the car to your favorite auto parts store. Many will test the battery for free. Have them test the battery.
If the alternator tests bad, remove the alternator and bring it to your favorite auto parts store and have it tested. Many will test it for free.
If both test good, I would start looking at the battery cables.
2007-02-26 08:54:27 · answer #3 · answered by Mad Jack 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you did not say the vehicle type but based on this it could be one of the 3 trio diodes built in to your alternater. Usually if this is the problem the light will not glow to full intensity however the vehicle battery will still charge but at a slower rate than if all 3 are working. There are no tests to prove this without removing the alternater in which case it is just as easy to replace the alternate with a rebuilt unit. One sure check is to run your lights at night and rev the engine if the headlights are dim to see if the brighten up proportional to the rpm of the engine.
2007-02-26 08:57:29 · answer #4 · answered by intheskeye 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it extremely is extremely in all danger the alternator or some section linked to it. - Your vehicle is probable engaged on the battery - meaning the battery is getting used to supply the spark interior the spark plugs. - assume the battery to bypass ineffective quickly - at which era you heavily isn't waiting to start off in spite of if somebody provides a leap with jumper cables. attempting out to be certain no rely if it extremely is an alternator suitable difficulty should not be perplexing. - All you're able to do is positioned a volt meter around the terminals of the battery whilst the engine is off after which back whilst it extremely is on - the voltage could bypass up if the alternator is generating a value. - there is likewise achievable that there is something incorrect with your low battery mild.
2016-11-26 00:45:32 · answer #5 · answered by arlina 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A bad battery won't make the battery light come on. You could remove the battery alltogether once the engine is running and the light won't come on. But the battery will be bad soon if you don't get the alternator working.
2007-02-26 09:55:10 · answer #6 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
More than likely, its the battery. The usually die around the 3 to 4 year mark. Normally, if its the alternator thats bad, there would be additional signs, like your dashboard lights flickering, or when you adjust your AC the radio dies, or your wiper blades kick On.
But as a previous person mentioned, if your near an AutoZone, they will check the battery and alternator for free.
Good Luck!
Edit - I added a Source Page below. It has some things you can do to self analyse the alternator to see if its bad.
2007-02-26 08:48:33 · answer #7 · answered by krodgibami 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It 's maybe a sign of the alternator if the battery light is on tell me more is it hard to start the vehicle or its normal If the car makes any sounds to start. did you leave your headlights on if its non of these problems then its your battery
2007-02-26 08:44:10 · answer #8 · answered by Mr E Double 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't want to be charged for an alternator when it was the battery. If you don't know a trustworthy mechanic, buy a battery first.
2007-02-26 08:40:47 · answer #9 · answered by trueblue88 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It could be the alternator belt as well, or corroded battery terminals.
2007-02-26 08:44:21 · answer #10 · answered by netthiefx 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋