First things first, 5-speed 1997 Sunfire SE w/ 138k.
Went to drive to work this morning, and the battery light came on and stayed on. Since the battery is less than 3 months old, and the car seems to be running slightly weak lately, I'm thinking it's the alternator. On my way home from work, almost all of the lights on my dashboard came on (ABS, Check Engine, Check Gauges) and stayed on until I stopped the car in front of my house. Based on the fact that none my instrument panel lights and running lights (headlights etc) were on by the time I got home, I'm thinking it's a safe assumption that I should head to autozone and get a new alternator. My only question is to why all the other lights came on. Could that just be the fact that my alternator was dying and all those other circuits/componants were running on almost no power?
The term 'stock' is COMPLETELY relative...
I once had a head gasket replaced at a shop and in the process they broke the ring terminal on the BAT (Big cable Alternator to Battery).
As the Charge light circuit was still intact, the light stayed out when the engine was running.
The ABS light coming ON was the first indication of any trouble, it detected "Low system voltage". This would bring on the "Check Gauges" and the "Check Engine" lights in your case as it did in mine.
So, based on this, I would say "Yes" your battery is for sure not receiving a charge.
If you have a voltmeter/multimeter it would be a good idea to check that there is no output from the alternator i.e. the BAT terminal on the Alternator reads 12.5 volts or less with the engine running before changing the Alt. This assumes the serpentine belt and tensioner is working correctly
If you are going to Autozone have them check the charging system first.
I think an aftermarket voltmeter is a great, cheap, device to see what is going on with the charging system.
I have one wired to the gauges fuse so it switches on and off with the ignition.
Hope it's a quick fix
Alont
I am dealing with this exact same issue, was it your alternator?
Clinton
The other systems ABS, etc. need 12V to operate.
If voltage drops to low, than it supplies less than 12v to the other systems. They dont operate then, and they will set a code.
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
I'm getting the same thing on a 94 Z24, Battery light came on on the way home, I left it running for a bit with no lights or any accessories on to see if it needed a good charge, when I got back in I hit the break and the car almost died, light still on, so I'm going to have to guess it the alternator too, But wouldn't mind knowing how yours turned out.
My alternator has died before and done close to the same thing, I had it rebuilt (and Built up) so Back to the shop I go...(It was about 3 years ago it was rebuilt, does that seem reasonable?)
Everything Louder than Everything else
Sounds like an alternator, I have a used one for sale, i will sell it for really really cheep. hit me with an e-mail. banditsgl1534@hotmail.com
