Battery light comes on
Asked by Bruce Feb 16, 2017 at 11:49 PM about the 1998 Dodge Caravan SE FWD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
My battery light came on. I found that if I would drive it for 5 minutes, then
turn it off and back on, the light would not come back on. I did not test the
voltage at that time. I pulled the alternator and had it tested. It checked out
okay. I put the alternator back in and it worked for a few days. Then the
battery light came back on. I pulled the alternator again and tested it at a
different shop. They tested about 7 times and it passed every time. I put
the alternator back in. It worked again for a few days. Now the battery light
is coming on again. What are the possible causes?
7 Answers
enginecreator answered 7 years ago
If money permits put a used/rebuilt unit in from a parts store that will take it back if its not fixing it and see if a another alternator fixing it, if not take it back, sometimes the load test does not put it threw all possible use and it could be bad or going bad.
Thanks for your suggestion. I ended up buying a replacement alternator and installing it. After driving for a week, It appears that the problem has been resolved. I don't know that I will ever really trust the alternator tests unless they show that it has failed.
enginecreator answered 7 years ago
True, Failed means failed, Pass means Still may be bad.
What does it mean when the just came on after you buy a van it just came on I'm not Jeffery I'm Lynn
Under-charging will turn on the light, and eventually your battery will discharge and not be able to start the car. Over-charging will cause the light to go on, and stay on until you stop and re-start. Overcharging may occur when you rev the engine. Your battery will have a shortened lifetime if overcharging. Cleaning terminals and corrosion may help, as the control is impaired by bad connections.
My engine light is on my Dodge Caravan. It will die the first time i start it but when I try to start it a second time it starts fine.
