alright. ive got an 88 hatchback and my batery light keeps comeing on. it will come on for a while and then will go back off. sometimes it just flashes. i took it to my local mechanic and had him test the alternator and he said it was fine. im not sure what the problem is and neither does the mechanic. if any of you guys have an idea, im open ears. please help!
thanks.

 

well the battery light comes on when the battery is discharging...like when the alternator isnt charging it. and since he tested it and its fine....i would have to say you have a loose connection some where. I would check the battery cables and the wires on the alternator and go from there.

good luck, these little problems can be the hardest ones to track down....

 

alright. thanks alot man. really appreciate it!

 

the two things i would check is all the cables... alternator charging wire, batteries power wire and ground wires as well.... if any have bare wire shorting or green corroded spots then replace them! and for the grounds i recomend taking them off and using a wire brush on the wire terminal and where they go to clean off any posible rust or dirt which could prevent power transfere.

 

Besides the battery light turning ON occasionally, are you experiencing any electrical problems, such as light intensity fluctuations or engine problems?

 

well my engine died on me once. i just wated a couple of minutes and it started right up. it also idles really funny. it will be fine for a while and then all the sudden it will start to shake and almost die. i just give it a little gas to get it goin but it will do it again. im not deffinatly sure about the light fluctuations. sometimes they will getbrighter ordimmer than usual.

 

The battery light is possibly on because the alternator is failing, despite what the mechanic has told you.

 

yea that is a possible. he has been wrong before. ill just try and check everything myself.


thanks for all the help. if anyone else thinks they might know the problem or has an idea,please let me know.