2nd attempt...is there a battery light (idiot light) in the dash??

[jreed1]

I've traced the problem with the charging cct to be the white/red and red wires (20 gauge I think) going to the alternator. Is there a battery light (idiot light) in the dash that connects to these? I know if the bulb goes out the alternator won't get field excitation voltage and won't work. Anybody out there? Thanks

[Q451990]

When there is an alternator failure the brake light and ABS light will flicker sumultaneously... you may also see a message on the dash that says "Low Battery Charge" but not always. So, to answer your question, there isn't a dedicated light for this.

Heath

[Q451990]

Just read your other post. One of my alternator failures was intermittant... it would charge fine for a day or two and then crap out. Noticed a whine from it during the failure mode. Turned out to be a shorted stator.

What voltage reading are you getting at idle at the battery? Should get about 14VDC at idle, and 12VDC with the engine off.

Heath

[jreed1]

Heath, Thanks for the info. I've been baffled by this one all day and none of the dealers in the Phoenix area knew the answer...pretty sad. I've got the alternator out enough to access the back connections and I'm going to see what kind of voltages I can find on the 2 small wires in the connector. Thanks - Jeff

[Q451990]

Good luck! I dread the day that my alternator goes bad on Q2... I struggled with the one on Q1 twice. Trust me, if you decide it's bad just buy a new OEM one. Too many people have had failures with remans. I actually replaced the diodes in mine the first time - only to have a bad stator about a year later. More time than $$ back then - but I still just replaced the whole thing after the second time of removing it.

Heath