QuestionQUESTION: Hi Daniel,
I read someone else had the same trouble with the brake light and battery light coming and making the A/C stop. I did like you said and had the alternator and battery checked (all while running at O'Reilly). They checked out fine, so I switched the relays around and still have the intermittent on/off problems. It goes on and off at different times (stopping, driving straight, turning...), and I am about lost!
Any suggestions as to what this poor soul might try?
Thanks!
ANSWER: well the battery light and battery light would be a voltage regulator or a bad ground or even a short in your system Chris. I would start by checking your connections and battery cables as well. What voltage was it charging at? Anything lower than 12.5 and it is no good. And yes they are the same thing. Isuzu Rodeo and Honda passport. SAME VEHICLE DIFFERENT BADGES. Don't let other people lie to you as they are the same vehicle.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks Daniel...I don't have a meter, but the gauge in the dash shows it charging well over 12, maybe closer to 13 or 14. The weird thing is at first I thought it might be a loose wire, but it goes on and off in so many different scenarios, it can't be that simple. I checked all the cables and wires on that battery and alternator and they are all secure and tight (and clean on the battery.) It seems at higher speeds the a/c will come on and run consistently; however it is at the lower speeds when it goes on/off. I don't want to lead you astray about it staying on at the higher speeds, as it does go off, but not as frequently. In order to determine if it is a short, do I have to take it in to a mechanic or is there something I can do? Also, would a loose belt be a possibility? They all seem to be tight, and the one from the alternator seems fine...but maybe not tight enough? I am throwing darts in the dark right now!!! Thanks again for your assistance!
Chris
Answerwell chris 14 volts seems a bit too high for that model. I would check for what we call a phantom drain on the battery and or alternator. I have seen brand new alternators be bad or even fail after the first few weeks of installment. Yes you can have the belts checked for free at most shops or even the store and that is what my ALLDATA is telling me Chris. That there is something wrong in your charging circuit and the alternator could be bad internally. If it goes on and off though I would check for a defective belt. Please let me know if you need anymore assistance as I am happy to help:)
