Mitsubishi Repair: 2000 Montero Sport Battery and Brake Light on, montero sport, battery cables

Question
Hi. I pulled my parking brake up when I was cleaning my car. (I never use the parking brake) When I went to turn my car back on the brake light remained on and the battery light came on. The car is now having trouble holding a charge. Had the battery checked and it's good. Shop said I needed a new alternator but just seems weird that it happened after I pulled the brake up... like something could have come loose. Any thoughts? Thanks so much!

Answer
Julie: Sometimes these alternators will just go, but you could check the wiring on the alternator to make sure it is hooked on tight, you could check the belt that runs the alternator it might be in need of a change(new belt), are you sure the battery terminals are clean? And are they tight, these little cars like those cables tight. But if all those things check out, you will have to get that alternator replaced. But yet if the shop told you the battery is good but the alternator is bad, does not seem right somehow. As the alternator is what keeps the battery charged up, so maybe you should take the car to a second shop and see what they tell you. Sometimes it is good to get a second thought on anything you do in life, even with your car. But if that shop says it is the alternator than I would have it replaced. There is a test that they can do on the battery to see if everything is working as it should, battery, cables, alternator and the such. So hope this helps and God bless: Linda