96 Saturn SC2 - Battery light comes on after ten minutes of driving...then goes away.

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by tuko, Sep 3, 2004.

  1. tuko

    tuko Guest

    Any help on this topic will be greatly appreciated. When I drive for about
    10 minutes, the battery light comes on and stays on steady for about 1
    minute, and then it goes away. It won't come back on for the rest of the
    drive. This only happens when I haven't driven the car for about 8 hours
    (like in the morning or right after I finish work). The battery light
    will go on regardless if I'm in idle or on local streets or on the
    highway. I had my alternator checked and battery checked and they both
    are fine. I had my alternator, battery, and serpentine belt (not the
    tensioner) replaced about 3 weeks ago. The alternator seems to have gone
    bad because power steering fluid was leaking on it from a faulty power
    steering seal. I had that replaced too. I had the connections to the
    alternator rechecked and also if it was bolted on tight, and that checked
    out good too. Battery connections are cleaned and on tight too. Any
    ideas? Thanks in advance for any help.
     
    tuko, Sep 3, 2004
    #1
  2. tuko

    Oppie Guest

    What is the battery voltage when the light comes on? Should be a fairly
    constant 13.8V when all is functioning properly. Could it be a short in the
    idiot lamp? One side of the lamp goes to the 12 switched by the ignition.
    The other side of the lamp goes to the alternator (internally to the diode
    trio).
    Check your power grounds especially the alternator case to battery Neg for
    voltage drops and add a ground strap if required.
    Could also be an intermittent high current load on the system somewhere.
    "Need more input" - Jonny5 from "short circuit"
     
    Oppie, Sep 3, 2004
    #2
  3. tuko

    tuko Guest

    OK, thanks for the suggestions. Sounds like a good place to start. Thanks
    again.
     
    tuko, Sep 3, 2004
    #3
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