Questionrecently the 'battery' icon on the dash became illuminated. The owners manual says it was a charging issue. It was intermittent over the last couple of days then tonight, everything dimmed, the interior lights started flashing, the door locks clicking and then everything quit...Batter problem? Alternator? any advice?
AnswerHi BC,
Yes, when the icon illuminates it means that the output voltage of the alternator is too low (or not at all there) to keep the battery charged, so soon after that what you experienced will happen. It is possible that the battery is shorting out the current from the alternator but more likely the alternator is not working or the wire from it to the battery is disconnected or the wire to it from the engine controller that regulates the voltage is disconnected, or the controller is faulty. The most likely thing is the alternator needs to be rebuilt so that is what I would assume if you don't see any disconnected wires at/near the alternator. The drive belt that operates the alternator also powers the power steering pump so you would have noticed that the belt had come off were that the cause (for all the engines other than the 2.4L four cyl engine which has a belt that drives the alternator and ac compressor which you would not notice unless you asked for ac or window defrost and didn't get it.
So that is how I would approach it. You can go to an auto electric shop or do it yourself and take the alternator to a starter/generator rebuiling shop, have them test it, and if they agree it is faulty let them rebuild it. That would save you the labor cost, allow you to keep the original factory unit, and save some more.
Roland
PS Use the 'thank/rate' tab below to get back to me with any further question, without having to wait for me to be 'available'. There is a place for comments, to which I will respond. While there, if you would put a 'yes' where you see 'nomination?' I would appreciate that.
