Chrysler Repair: Plymouth Breeze battery light on, powertrain control module, 1997 plymouth breeze

Question

I have a 1997 plymouth breeze.  The battery light comes on sometimes.  I have gone for days and it won't come on, but then it comes on and when I restart the car it is off. I notice the light comes on, then if I restart the car immediately the light is off, but comes back on after a short time. I can drive for an hour and it stays off. Other times I'll drive around town and it comes after 10 minutes then stays on.
Can you please help me.

Answer
Hi Mark,
The possibilities are several:
Check the battery cable connections to the battery and the ground connection of the cable on the -post located near the battery at the driver side strut tower.
Check the wires at the alternator
Check the battery voltage, charge if less than 12V
Check the alternator drive belt condition and tension (belt should deflect 1/4" to 1/2" when pressed by 10 lb of pressure)
Check the alternator mounting bolts for tightness
Check the voltage when the engine is running:it should be 13-15V
If you don't find the source of the light coming on, then arrange with a shop or parts store to bring the car over to them when the light is 'on' for an alternator test. The problem could be the alternator or the control of the alternator which is done by the powertrain control module.
You might also do a code readout to see if the engine controller has picked up a reason for the voltage to be outside the proper range. It may be possible to do that without a code reader but maybe not, but give it a try. Turn the ignition key: "on-off-on-off-on and leave on" doing that in an elapsed time of 5 seconds or less. The check engine light will remain "on" but may then begin to flash, pause, flash, pause, etc. Count the number of flashes before each pause and keep track of all the numbers in the order observed. Then group them in pairs to form two digit numbers that are the fault codes. The last number should be 55. Then do it again to make sure you have the count exactly correct. Then write back or go to www.allpar.com/fix/codes.html for a translation. '97 was a year of transition to a new system of codes so if the check engine light doesn't flash at all it means the only way to get the codes is by plugging in a code reader.
Roland