Brake Warning and Charge (Battery) Warning Lights

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09-17-2007, 09:49 PM

ramnrick

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Brake Warning and Charge (Battery) Warning Lights

I was driving when both the brake and charge (bettery) warning lights light up at the same time. I make sure handbrake is down and look for any interior lights flickering. Nothings seems out of the norm. Both warning lights stay on for a while in normal street driving and suddenly both warning lights go off. It goes on and off for a couple more miles when I finallys decide to pull over and pop the hood. Brake fluid is full. Battery connection is tight. Start up car and no more warning lights. Drive for about 12 miles and both warning lights come on just as I pull into my driveway. Any ideas?

09-17-2007, 10:04 PM

steven88

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I heard that this is a sign of a bad alternator...when both of those lights stay on, then your alternator is on it's way out

09-18-2007, 12:33 AM

MaxBoost925

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Quote:

Originally Posted by steven88

I heard that this is a sign of a bad alternator...when both of those lights stay on, then your alternator is on it's way out

Werd.

Welcome back OG.

09-18-2007, 09:35 AM

wngan9447

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Quote:

Originally Posted by steven88

I heard that this is a sign of a bad alternator...when both of those lights stay on, then your alternator is on it's way out

On it's way out or completely out... my belt broke on my one day and those lights came on.

09-18-2007, 09:45 AM

Lovemycar

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Alternator is bad to be sure disconnect the negitive battary cable while the car is running if it shuts off you have a bad ALT

09-18-2007, 11:56 AM

SurraTT

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Lovemycar

Alternator is bad to be sure disconnect the negitive battary cable while the car is running if it shuts off you have a bad ALT

BAD IDEA, unless u want to take a chance on your whole electrical system

get it tested @ ADVANCE AUTO

09-18-2007, 12:22 PM

ShiftVQ35

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alternator....... It is pretty simple to figure it out.....

09-18-2007, 03:20 PM

ramnrick

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Alternator it is. Being replaced as I type. Just wanted to make sure. Thanks for the replies..

09-18-2007, 06:57 PM

justinny

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ramnrick

Alternator it is. Being replaced as I type. Just wanted to make sure. Thanks for the replies..

the best way to test your alternator is with a multimeter
it should read between 13.5 and 14.5 volts dc for best charging
start car and turn on everything electrical and crank the radio if it dips below 13 it might be on its way
also have your battery load tested to rule it out
alot of the time a bad alt will take out the battery
removing the cable from the battery is a very bad idea
the alternator's only job is to charge the battery not supply current to the vehicle
thats the battery's job
when you take the battery out of the picture the carbon brushes in the alternator burn up very fast (down to the tension springs and burns up the slip ring on the rotor)
and a good alternator can become a bad alternator very quickly due to that test