Simple problem... I think
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New User
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From: Missouri
Simple problem... I think
I just noticed my battery light coming on at idle. The amp meter shows normal charge. What does this mean? My batteries have 120k on them. Everything else seems to be perfect. Could the batteries be going bad?
Any help and experiences appreciated.
Thanks,
Folks
Any help and experiences appreciated.
Thanks,
Folks
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: IOWA
Are you talking the idiot gauge on the dash? If so, that can only be trusted to a point. Get an multi-tester and put it on the batteries, I'll bet they are starting to get weak, but enough to make it look like that are charging fine.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Central Texas
Simple answer is "yes". The more complex answer is all of the above. The dash Amp meter reads amperage, not voltage, so it's doesn't tell you much about your batteries, but what your alternator is putting out. I'd go to a parts store and have it checked out pronto. Most part stores will test them for free (they want to sell you something...go figure), but you might have to tell them which battery to test, and interpet their results on your own. I would mostly likely guess you have a batt going bad, but figure it out soon as a bad batt and can take out an alternator and vice vercsa. It can be a vicious circle and get expensive.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: South Dakota
Most of the time the light on the dash idicates that the Alternator is going bad and not the batterys.
Poor batteries will often take out a alternator as they force the altenator to work even harder to keep them charged up.
Puting a Voltage tester on a battery really doesn't tell you jack...you can have a battery that reads 12V but only has 30A in it. A load tester is the only sure way to test batteries.
Measuring voltage with the motor running can give you some hints on if they are charging, voltage should be in the 13-14V range.
My money says you will have to get a new alternator, and if you are getting a new altenator, new batteries are also in order.
Poor batteries will often take out a alternator as they force the altenator to work even harder to keep them charged up.
Puting a Voltage tester on a battery really doesn't tell you jack...you can have a battery that reads 12V but only has 30A in it. A load tester is the only sure way to test batteries.
Measuring voltage with the motor running can give you some hints on if they are charging, voltage should be in the 13-14V range.
My money says you will have to get a new alternator, and if you are getting a new altenator, new batteries are also in order.
Last edited by superrangerman2002; Mar 31, 2005 at 10:52 PM.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Superrangerman is right: Battery light means the alternator is not charging. Most likely the brushes are worn out and barely making contact with the armature. If your batteries are truly that old replace them at the same time. BTW mileage means nothing to batteries, time only is the factor, IMO.
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From: Missouri
Thanks everyone, for your input. Kwikkordead- if the brushes are worn out is it simple enough to simply replace the brushes or do i need to get another alt.? do i need to remove the old one to get it tested?
I assume it would be wise to replace the batteries. What is the best & ecomonical way to replace them?
I assume it would be wise to replace the batteries. What is the best & ecomonical way to replace them?
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: South Dakota
Originally Posted by hdgjr
Thanks everyone, for your input. Kwikkordead- if the brushes are worn out is it simple enough to simply replace the brushes or do i need to get another alt.? do i need to remove the old one to get it tested?
I assume it would be wise to replace the batteries. What is the best & ecomonical way to replace them?
I assume it would be wise to replace the batteries. What is the best & ecomonical way to replace them?
I've seen the testing done both ways....I'd just dial up your local parts house and just ask them which way they prefer.
And yes you should replace the batteries as per my last post. If you have a Sam's membership, they can often save you some money on some really good Nascar selects (a grp 65 batt ran me $56 a battery), and they can also test your alternator with out removing it from the motor.
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From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Originally Posted by hdgjr
Thanks everyone, for your input. Kwikkordead- if the brushes are worn out is it simple enough to simply replace the brushes or do i need to get another alt.? do i need to remove the old one to get it tested?
I assume it would be wise to replace the batteries. What is the best & ecomonical way to replace them?
I assume it would be wise to replace the batteries. What is the best & ecomonical way to replace them?
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From: Missouri
Well it turns out the batteries were bad. Had the alternater and batteries checked and the batteries were very weak. Once replaced everything seemed to work properly.
Thanks for all the information.
Harry Griffin
Thanks for all the information.
Harry Griffin
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