Battery light is on

[Mountaineer51]

Its on and will not go off even with rpm change. What diagnostic steps should I do and in what order ?

 

[Joe_Meehan]

Have you measured the voltage with engine off and with engine running?

 

[Mountaineer51]

Have you measured the voltage with engine off and with engine running?

Uhh no. I do have a volt meter . how do I do it.

 

[Joe_Meehan]

See if a neighbor or family member has a volt meter, they should know how to check voltage with it.

Most auto part stores will check it out for free. They can't check everything for free, but the test they do does check out most of them.

 

[coalminer16]

Could be your al pulley or wires somewhere. Only really comes on if no charge is going back to the battery. Mine came on when the pulley failed.

 

[Mountaineer51]

Have you measured the voltage with engine off and with engine running?

Ok I measured it and its 13.1 off and 16.1 running and battery light still on.

 

[Joe_Meehan]

It sounds close, but if anything that might be a little high.

Sorry I can't think of anything else right now.

 

[JB05]

It should be 14+ volts with the engine running. I suspect a faulty voltage regulator.

 

[GenMan]

Sounds like your voltage regulator is shot, 16.1 is high especially if thats at idle.
What happens when you raise the RPM's up to like 2500, bet it goes even higher.
Becareful you don't ruin your battery.

Mine maintains aprox 14.5

 

[Mountaineer51]

So what now? I thought the 2001 models started the year you couldnt replace the voltage regulator.
Should I just get a reman ? Are the a pita to get off ?

 

[BolaB4V]

I think you can just do the voltage regulator. Try German Auto Parts see if they have one, but to be safe get a reman. alt from Alternatorpros.com. (edit)** TDIPOWERMAN has an Alternator over in parts... for $50 if its still available!!
Did my VR6 alt.,, now thats a PITA to change!

 

[puter]

may be worth while getting the codes read to get a more definitive answer as to what's wrong.

 

[Mountaineer51]

Update

Ok guys, here it is from the top. I havent had any trouble starting the car or anything and Fri morning I went out and the battery was completely dead so I coasted it down the driveway and on the way to work the battery light came on any never went off. After work I came out to the car and for some reason I thought it might have charged and it was still dead. So I jumped it and all the way home the light stayed on and I put it on the charger that evening and it wouldnt take a charge.
So I got a new battery, charged and installed it and fired the car up and the light came on and I checked the voltage and shut it off.
Today I get in the car and battery dead again.

Now what do ya think.

 

[rcracer]

alternator


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[Mountaineer51]

alternator


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What causes the alternator to drain the battery so fast with the engine not running ?

 

[White Crow]

Yep alternator bad diode or regulator, an open regulator will draw 3-4 amps 24/7.

 

[Alchemist]

As the name implies, the alternator produces alternating current, which is not compatible with the electrical system. It must be converted to direct current to be usable. The conversion is done by diodes(there are 6 of them) which allow current to flow in only one direction. If one fails, it can allow current to flow from the battery through the alternator when the engine is not running, and will reduce the alternator output when it is running. Hoping this helps clear up the mystery.

Paul

 

[Mountaineer51]

As the name implies, the alternator produces alternating current, which is not compatible with the electrical system. It must be converted to direct current to be usable. The conversion is done by diodes(there are 6 of them) which allow current to flow in only one direction. If one fails, it can allow current to flow from the battery through the alternator when the engine is not running, and will reduce the alternator output when it is running. Hoping this helps clear up the mystery.

Paul

Now an explanation like that is what I like to see.
Thanks Paul .