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so I am having a little problem, i changed my alternator 2 days ago and since that when i turn the ignition switch , the battery light does not come on.. all other specific lights come on except the battery light.
The alternator is charging the battery very good so i dont think the alternator is bad.
the bulb that illuminates the battery light is working and the terminal that the bulb is connected to is getting a fair share of 12v when the switch is turned.
The question is.. WHY DO THE BATTERY LIGHT NOT COME ON????is there a sensor or something??
the car is a Daewoo cielo gl 1997
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First check the socket, but if your bulb socket is okay then you’re getting voltage… but, are you getting amperage? It is possible to have voltage without amperage, but not vice versa.
Most circuits in your car will read 12-14 volts all of the time, but you may find the circuit is not on, because there is no AMPS to power that device…
When you turn the ignition key to the on position before starting, do you get all your dash indicator lights including the battery or no. Does it come on after you start driving?
Was it working before? If you plug a scanner in to look at your system, are you getting any codes? Does any code need to be reset after you changed the alternator? How much voltage do you see on the battery using a tester, and after you remove the surface charge?The dash battery lamp indicator is normally off but yes, it fires up briefly when you turn your key to the ignition pre-start position and goes out after the engine starts. Of course, if it comes on when your engine is running, it may be telling you about a low charge condition, wiring problems or alternator problems.
Rather than crawling around under the dash at this point, which is towards the end of the circuit, I’d start at the front and work backwards by first systematically checking your battery voltage and testing to ensure your alternator is really charging the battery when the engine is running. If you see a problem on your meter, check the connections for the alternator and your battery clamps and any assoc. wiring there. A parts store could help you check for codes, a repair shop could test your alternator and charging system.
If the system electrical tests ok, then that would tell me you’re chasing an electrical open in the dash light system. Check for any other dash lights being off, fuses, etc., then test for power at the wiring connector(s) that feed the dash indicator lamps working your way up to the socket itself which is likely hard to get to unless you’re a contortionist.
IMO, if the lamp was lighting before you started this operation, it ain’t likely it’s the lamp. Look at a wiring diagram to see if the battery lamp shares it’s juice source with other lamps on the dash or common fuses.
MarkFirst it would help if you had a factory service manual to find out what the function of the battery light is on your vehicle. When my battery light comes on it is because my battery temperature sensor thermistor has detected a problem with the battery temperature. It then puts the charging of the battery into a limp mode whereby the output charging voltage from the alternator to the battery is reduced to protect the battery as the sensor has detected that the battery temperature is not correct. Until the problem has been resolved the light will stay on. My battery light is normally out unless there is a problem in which case it will illuminate to show me there is a problem I need to fix.
i know u are a big daewoo supporter bro. 😀
i did check the socket, and it’s not corroded or anything.. still haven’t found the problemthe thing that i can’t get around is… i am getting a fair amount of 12v to the terminals where the bulb socket rests on.
the battery light does not come on at all.. and the alternator is charging well because its not a new car that has all the computer brainbox etc.. its a 1997 model with a basic system so while the car was started up , i let it run for a few minutes and then removed the negative battery pole while the car was on, and it didnt cut off. So i know the alternator is recharging back the battery. when i tested it, i got around 14.7 – 14.9 volts.by the way…. the battery is not dead in any way because it starts up the engine in less than 3 seconds.
but as the guy dohc-kindaguy said about the amperage not going to the bulb..i will have to check that out. thanks.
i still haven’t fixed the problem.. so anybody with some useful info, i would appreciate it 😀 thank you very much
Why do you want your battery light to come on? They only come on if there is a problem or when you first start the vehicle when all the indicator lights normally come on and then go out after the vehicle is started. Unless that 12 V finds a path to a ground the bulb will not light up.
Try this: Do you have an understanding of how the battery indicator lamp works and why? Do you know which bulb socket in your instrument panel should be energized, how much voltage you should read and when, (I said voltage not amperage) when it should read voltage an understanding of why it should be there and when it shouldn’t?
John is right and I failed to suggest that you start at your operators manual then go on to a wiring schematic, look and see what you’re testing for and where after you know when and why that light should come on and why it shouldn’t. THEN start testing and see if that helps you.
BTW, is this a used alternator or a rebuilt? Did you happen to reverse the polarity of any wires when you were swapping your alternator or any connections broken off pigtailed into your battery clamps? An open signal ground somewhere perhaps? Look at a wiring diagram.
its a used alternator and i don’t have a schematic for it.. btw its a nissan alternator..
when i first turn the switch all lights are on EXCEPT the battery light.. before i changed the alternator the light used to illuminate on startup when i turn the switch, then it will go off.yea, had to change the mounting bracket and swap over the pulley.. now it lines up perfecttttt!
and for the 2 wire jack.. just had to cut and rejoin the new jack. the alternator works great except fot this little battery light problem :dry:any alternator works in any car as long as you can mount it. do you know what AMPs its rated at vs the old one?
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