Battery light on but still charging

bvolks · 02-06-2008, 06:17 PM

I just changed the plugs in the Tempo and when I started it up to try it out I noticed the charging light is on. I turned every accessory on that I could and tested the voltage with my voltmeter and it's putting out 15 volts so I assume it's still charging. I asked the wife if she had noticed it and she said she noticed it on on her way home (about 30 miles away) so I know it must be charging or it would have died on her on her way home.The alternator IS noisy/squeaking though. Why would the light be on if it's still charging?

ajpletcher · 02-06-2008, 06:40 PM

Did you test the cables with the cables off and see what the output voltage is? The battery by it self should not be at 15. If all is well there then i would take the alternator to be tested you might have some bad internal parts. Your voltage regulator might not be working right either.

Notorious_T · 02-06-2008, 06:40 PM

did you plug the voltmeter on the battery when the car was off or while it was running...?

bvolks · 02-06-2008, 07:14 PM

While it was running. 15 volts seemed a bit hight to me. I was thinking it might be overcharging.

ajpletcher · 02-06-2008, 07:20 PM

if the regulator is going out it cold be overcharging. Im not sure of the speck, maybe somebody here knows the spec but i think 13.5 to 14 is the charging voltage. Dont quote me im not sure, that number just pops into my head as the proper voltage

bvolks · 02-06-2008, 08:31 PM

I just took the battery cable off with the lights, defroster and heater fan turned on and it stayed running so it's definitely charging. I think I'll grab another alternator from the local junk yard and try on it though. I just don't trust it.

bvolks · 02-07-2008, 09:07 AM

Well, I drove the wife to work with it this morning and the light was still on. Took another look at in the daylight this time, wiggled some wires around again (I'm sure I wiggled the same wires last night though) and the light went out and stays out. Bad connection somewhere apparently. Hopefully that's all it was.

Notorious_T · 02-07-2008, 03:50 PM

^ yea my light just came on and rebuilt my alt and now its all good... try plugin the voltmeter when the light is on if you havent already with the car running.

ajpletcher · 02-07-2008, 09:11 PM

just watch it for a while you dont want it to suddenly surprise you!

cronicus · 03-25-2008, 08:49 PM

theres a conector on the alternator its a single wire it can get twisted worn rotted rusty you name it test it for conenuity or valid conection ness lol