Alternator

[v6dreamer]

* romuel and xt7

The battery light should come on when the key is in the "on" position with the engine not running, then it should go out when the engine starts. If it is not on when the key is in the "on" position and engine is off then the light is malfunctioning.

XT7 that is not why your battery is not charging I just wanted to verify that this is how you diagnosed the cars battery light.

Does the car run for awhile then die or does it run until you shut it off and then not have enough power to restart? XT7 you did the "poor man diagnostic way" by removing your battery cable. You wont believe what happen to your car if you did that again.

If it will run until you shut it off and then not restart the problem is the battery (even if it is new).

If your alternator fails, both your running car would drain the battery very quickly and then the ugly sounds....TIC TIC TIC when try to re-start, it dies out. If it is draining the battery while it is running the problem is your alternator.

That is the alternators only function. It supplies power to replace what energy was used from the battery when the engine was started and supplies the vehicle with all its electrical power when the engine is running.

The only reliable alternator test is to start the (idle only) car and check the voltage at the battery. It should read between 13 & 14 volts. If it is less, your alternator is not providing enough power.