battery display

[netsfan549]

The battery light keeps showing on dashboard but I just change battery;it is still showing. What else can it be?

[Pvt-Public]

That light means the charging system is not working correctly. Make sure your alternator belt is adjusted correctly if that's not the problem, get your alternator checked.

[Chris Crash]

I'm guessing your belt is worn and a little loose.

[AliRazoR]

check your alternator connectors.

[BMR]

...and check your ground cable.

If none of that fixes it, most auto parts stores will test alternators for free. You just need to remove it and bring it to them.

[73sport]

Would it be true that the times it came on were at idle, with the lights and heater on? If so, all those "check the belt" posts will likely be the correct answer as usually once the alternator fails (whether its the AC to DC bridge or the voltage regulator), they don't repair themselves so it looks like a belt or bad connection will likely solve your problem. . .

If you have a hand held meter multi-meter you can check it and get an idea of its voltage output too.

[AliRazoR]

alternator test:

1)turn on the car
2)turn on AC and Head lights
3)remove the positive cable of battery

if your car stay on means the alternator is working

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by AliRazoR

alternator test:

1)turn on the car
2)turn on AC and Head lights
3)remove the positive cable of battery

if your car stay on means the alternator is working

Do not do this test. This was an acceptable test in my youth (I did it myself back then, many many years ago.), but should not be done on today's modern engines. Todays' engines have some very sophisticated electronics. The voltage spikes created by disconnecting and/or reconnecting the battery cable on a running car can ruin some of those electronics. You may do this and the car will be fine, but you are taking a real chance, IMHO.

It would be better to take the alternator off and take it in to an auto parts store for a free check or drive the car there, if the car is running, as has been suggested above. You can also check the voltage output of alternator with a volt/ohmeter as has also been suggested. Just make sure you use a digital volt/ohmeter, not an old fashioned analog one, for the same reasons I mentioned in reference to pulling the battery cable.

Mike