Battery light

ONLYTONY

ONLYTONY

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Wife reports on the 97 that the battery light stays on for a short time after starting the car. Headlights on auto and come right on. Took some readings after she came home, and let the car rest 5 min. Battery=12.55 and after 5 min went up to 12.58. This morning at 30 degrees the battery=12.05. Car started right up and alt put out 14.3. Sounds like a battery going bad. Car does everything like it should, except the idiot light staying on for a bit. It'll be getting a new battery real soon, looking for a sale price. Thanks for any input TONYyyy
 
Yes, Alternators are meant to top off the battery, and keep it charged... not charge a dead battery. Too much strain. I'm sure you know that already though. I'd get the Alt tested as well. Perhaps it's output is not what it once was. You can actually take your entire car without removing the battery or the alternator, and take it to an Advance Auto Parts store, and they have a machine they can roll out and test the battery and alternator on the car. May want to do that.
 
Been there, done that. The 95 took 3 alts in 3+ years. Cracked pos clamp fixed it. I'll get it done this evening. THANKS TONYyyy
 
sounds like alternator to me. nothing wrong with those battery resting voltages, especially in the winter. they are higher than mine.

but good luck with your new battery.
 
That could be Chris and honestly, when it comes to a Mark VIII and batteries and alternators, my luck has always been that I had to change both lol. Sometimes the alternator has sporadic moments when it acts like it's doing the job but 5 min later, it might not be. I don't mean that for everyone but for those that are having a problem like this one. My battery resting voltage (which is new) is at 12.5-12.6 and the alternator is putting out at first crank, 14.1-14.4v and it was also just replaced. The battery light really could be a number of things such as a bad connection, bad ground and yes, the alternator could have an intermittent problem as it's spinning. I know that first hand from when mine was going bad. One minute it would be charging normal and then the next it was slamming nearly 16 volts at the battery and then the battery went bad. So yes, it very well could be the alternator. One will make the other go bad if not fixed soon.
 
I have the battery ready to go in as soon as my wife gets home from work. My CE said I could borrow it, since it's resting. Black Friday just around the corner. Maybe I can beat the price than I'll get with my $20 coupon. All 3 of my MK VIII's will have almost new BOSCH batteries. I hope it's just the battery. time will tell. Well one will be real new.
 
Changed the battery last night. All seems well. 2 year bat (came with car) measured 12.7, and this morn 12.6. Talking to a member last night and I think we all missed it. A slipping belt makes a lot of sense. It's gotten cold here and it could affect the belt, maybe a cheapie like the battery. I'll be changing that tonight. Not ruling out the alt yet.
 
Gates stuff has always been good. I just ordered a dayco belt,did some reading and it sounded good. Gotta give it a try.
 
Car is running properly. Close look at belt shows wear on the ribs, no cracks. Ordered 2 from Rock=w/shp 38.82. Checked local stores=PB's, auto zone, advance. Dayco #5060975 at all 3 stores, for2 w/tax, 59.53. All 3 exact price. I'll have to wait a bit, but 20.71 in my pocket sounds good.
 
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