Lately my battery light has been staying on for a few minutes after I have turned the car on and it only seems to happen on cold mornings. I recently replaced the alternator after my old one died and I also replaced the battery due to it's age. Now whenever I turn the car on in the cold the light stays on but it will go away after I drive for a little bit and raise the RPM's. It is obvious it isn't charging because the lights will dim and then get brighter when the alternator does start charging. There is no sound of a belt slipping I honestly haven't looked to make sure because it is usually very early and I am in a rush to get going and it always seems to eventually work. I need my car to be reliable no matter how cold it is. Is the belt just not tight enough or is the alternator I put in bad already? Please any help would be appreciated.

Adam

 

Where did you buy the alternator from?

 

It is a cheap Autolite rebuild from Checker Auto Parts.

Adam

 

I would highly recommend that you take that sucker back and get an OEM alternator from someplace like NAPA. At the least, you need to have it checked before you get starnded by a dead battery.

 

So you think it is the alternator?? I can't really take it back... although it does have a warranty that I might try to swap it with another and see if that corrects it.

Adam

 

I believe that it is an improperly built or reman alternator. That's why you should have the charging system checked.

 

belt might be loose, seen it happen on my cousin max

 

He said no loose belt screeches, and I would bring that alternator back or have them test it to make sure it is actually working correctly.