1995 Continental ( red Battery light )

[MajorBluntz]

So few weeks ago the red battery light came on ( Check Charging system )

i ran a voltage meter to it and it looked like i needed to replace the battery (Bosch)...so i did. however the light is still on. the connectors are clean and when teh car is in idle the voltage meter reads 12.75, which is where it should be reading i believe. any one else had this problem. i wanted to know if so or i may hve to take it to the lincoln dealership so they can take a look. im just lookin for ideas to what it could be...thanks!

 

[purelux]

Have you tried having the alternator checked as well, could have a bad regulator, not putting out enough power, etc... Also you may want to do a slow charge on the battery. Usually batteries are either not full charged or are quick charged to top-off.

 

[MajorBluntz]

lol

ya, i actually replaced the battery, and the light is still on.. im thinkin its the alternator too. but when its hooked up to the voltage reader it registers 14.75 or so. so idk..its confusing. idont wanna have to replace it. but oh well. gotta do what i gotta do! lol

 

[1bad4.6l]

It maybe that voltage but are the diodes doing there job, is it putting out the amps it should, and is the regulator acting right? Alternator +100

 

[purelux]

Is that 14.75 at idle, or with a bit of throttle applied. You should only get about 12 at idle and 14.4 roughly above that. I've learned this from working in car audio as this is why amps will often state 2 max outputs in their detailed specs at 12v and 14.4v. Other than that try checking the grounds and positive and negative wires from the battery.

 

[bradyelich]

Was new batery fully charged? your readings should be 13.6 at idle to 15 volts at speed. anything outside of those parms gives you a red light on the dash. your readings will depend upon charge state of your battery. The regulator is shot - internal to the alternator but a cheaper fix.