What is the most common cause of a car battery discharge warning light?

Question

I own a '99 Toyota Camry. On my way to work yesterday, my battery discharge warning light suddenly came on...My air condition light started blinking, and I turned the AC off. I immediately drive back home, and borrowed my fiancee's car.

I know that there are several different possibilities, but what is the MOST COMMON cause of a battery discharge light? I can still turn on the ignition and run the engine, but the light remains.

I just want to arm myself with some information before making the trek to the repair shop.

Thanks.

Answer 1

alternater going out or the belt that runs it may be loose( i.e. tensioner loose or broken)

Answer 2

Here's some easy tests. First the alternator. If you have a multi-meter or volt meter, with the engine off, connect it to the battery's positive and negative sides. The battery should read around 12 volts DC (VDC). Now, start the motor. If the alternator is good, it should now read 14 VDC on the meter. Don't have a meter? Here's an old mechanics and poor man's test for the alternator. With the motor running, disconnect the NEGATIVE side of the car battery (Don't touch the positive side, unless your will is in order and you are ready to die). If the car stops running, then the alternator is bad. Now, if the alternator appears Okay, next test the battery. Even the maintenance free batteries have battery caps that can be popped off with a flat screw driver. You will need a Electrolyte Specific Gravity battery tester. In English, this is a plastic tool with a squeeze bulb to suck the battery fluid into the tester, then see how many balls are floating. Test each opening separately. If any single battery cell tests bad, then it's time to replace the battery or get it reconditioned. Most auto parts stores will test the alternator and battery for you free of charge. Keep in mind to hide your cigarettes and lighter when working around the battery, and don't hook up test leads backwards. Batteries will explode. Also, 2 Amps of Electricity or more (Even 12 Volts) can kill an adult. You battery has 400-800 amps depending on the type. Treat it with respect. If your testing makes the battery look good and the alternator is OK, remove the battery from the car and see if it is still losing it's charge after a few days. If not, then the battery is OK and you have something on or shorted in your car draining the battery. Now for the obvious. It's cold as @#$% even in the deep South the past few weeks (Despite the myth of Global Warming), are you sure it's not the cold weather killing the battery? A simple trouble light with a 60 watt light bulb near the battery left on when the car is parked, will keep the battery warm and charged in colder weather. Don't forget to unplug the drop cord before you make the beer run.

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

Most likely either your alternator is dying or a coil is going berzerk. That's what happened alot for me, and then without any kind of warning, my car died and there was no way to get it started again. My best bet for you is have your alternator checked right away. Any good mechanic with an Ohlmeter can test it for you.

Answer 5

A broken fan belt, causing the alternator not to function, thus discharging the battery.

Answer 6

Battery Discharge Warning

Answer 7

Alternator going bad. If it is 90 degrees where you live your battery may be failing.

Answer 8

Could be a bad alternator.

Answer 9

It is usually the alternator when that happens.

Answer 10

Bad ground. have you made sure you have a good connection or that the cable is not corroded