Battery light stays on.

Asked by Hinabine Feb 27, 2017 at 10:56 AM about the 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt LT Sedan FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My battery light came on & stayed on this morning
when I started my car & I could feel it was at a low
power on accelerating. I have a 2007 Cobalt LT,  I
have owned the car just over 2 years now & have
had no battery issues with it at all, so now I'm
wondering if it's possibly my altenator? I don't live
near a mechanic & worried to drive it anywhere to
get it checked out. What things should I check for
first at home?

2 Answers

223,895

Do you have a digital multi meter? You can check the battery voltage, it should be 12.5 at the lowest point to 12.7 DCV fully charged. You may have to have the battery charged. Then you can check with the engine running at the battery to see if there is 13.8 to 14.7 DCV charging at the battery. These readings would show the alternator is working. Anything different then it is not.

3 people found this helpful.
18,665

I agree with Rowefast. It sounds like a charging system problem, but some proper diagnostics are required first. The car will run for quite a while during the day when you have no lights on so if you can put a battery charger on it and get it fully charged you should have no problem driving it to a repair shop as long as its not hours away. While this does not sound like a battery problem, it wouldn't hurt to have your load tested as well. They don't last forever and yours may be on its last legs as well.

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    munron
    Reputation
    8,430
  • #2
    John Carson
    Reputation
    2,290
  • #3
    MoGo
    Reputation
    1,990
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Chevrolet Malibu
43 Great Deals out of 1,156 listings starting at $1,495
Used Chevrolet Colorado
25 Great Deals out of 1,459 listings starting at $6,800
Used Chevrolet Corvette
23 Great Deals out of 1,038 listings starting at $14,900
Used Honda Civic
173 Great Deals out of 3,651 listings starting at $2,495
Used Honda Accord
44 Great Deals out of 910 listings starting at $2,799
Used Toyota Corolla
120 Great Deals out of 1,971 listings starting at $2,795
Used Chevrolet Impala
9 Great Deals out of 109 listings starting at $4,995
Used Chevrolet Equinox
85 Great Deals out of 2,789 listings starting at $4,499
Used Toyota Camry
57 Great Deals out of 981 listings starting at $2,212
Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
184 Great Deals out of 5,897 listings starting at $2,975
Used Ford Mustang
56 Great Deals out of 1,260 listings starting at $4,995
Used Ford Focus
27 Great Deals out of 502 listings starting at $2,950

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.