Ignition and battery warning light staying on
Discussion
This morning I was on my way for a drive in beautiful weather when I noticed that the ignition warning light and the battery light had remained on. Voltage read just a little over 11 volts and strangely enough oil pressure was also down from 50 psi to 35 psi on cold engine. It still runs fine though. When searching the forum I found clues that it could the fuse link on the cable from alternator to starter motor. I checked the belt and it doesn't seem to be slipping. Would I get any volt reading at all if it were the fuse? Or am I looking at a new alternator?
Also, I have now hooked up the battery to the trickle charger. After fully charging it, is it safe to do the 20 mls trip to the dealership?
Thanks!
Andy
>>> Edited by andy-ch on Sunday 16th March 12:23
Also, I have now hooked up the battery to the trickle charger. After fully charging it, is it safe to do the 20 mls trip to the dealership?
Thanks!
Andy
>>> Edited by andy-ch on Sunday 16th March 12:23
From experience it sounds like the alternator - 20 miles should be fine - I managed a 15 mile journey at night under similar circumstances. Not sure about the oil pressure reading - can't see how the two would be connected (fully prepared to be shot down if I'm wrong!).
Best of luck.
Best of luck.
The voltage shown on the gauge is what's in the battery.
To check the fuse link you can either: crawl under the car & have a looksee (it's in a black plastic box underneath the r/h engine mount) or measure the voltage at the alternator connection,engine not running it should be the same as across the battery terminals (I had to remove my alternator to get access to the terminals on the back). The other way - & it's a bit gash - is to make a small slash in the insulation of the wire between the fuse link & the alternator & stick the mutlimeter probe in there, drop of superglue on the insulation afterwards & some insulating tape tidies it back up.
I found that the car ran fine untill <9 volts on the gauge when my fuse link went. That equated to appx 20 miles so you might be pushing your luck!
To check the fuse link you can either: crawl under the car & have a looksee (it's in a black plastic box underneath the r/h engine mount) or measure the voltage at the alternator connection,engine not running it should be the same as across the battery terminals (I had to remove my alternator to get access to the terminals on the back). The other way - & it's a bit gash - is to make a small slash in the insulation of the wire between the fuse link & the alternator & stick the mutlimeter probe in there, drop of superglue on the insulation afterwards & some insulating tape tidies it back up.
I found that the car ran fine untill <9 volts on the gauge when my fuse link went. That equated to appx 20 miles so you might be pushing your luck!
Gassing Station | Griffith | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff