What is the core function of the battery light on cluster

[jsoto]

JD -

In my case, my alt was putting out correct V. It was not putting out enough current.
The light never ever flickered or lit up

[jdstrickland]

If the voltage is right, 14.5 when the engine is running, but the power is low, then the voltage must fall to a level that is below the specification.

If the engine is running and there is no load, then the voltage will be, or should be, 14.4vDC or there about. If the system has a heavy draw, AC is on, radio, lights, and other electrical loads, but the current is weak, then by definition the voltage must fall. It is a requirement of Ohms Law that when the power -- voltage -- is fixed but the current is low, the voltage has to be low. It has to be.

When you are facing this sort of problem, turn on all of the electrical loads you can find, then see what the voltage supplied by the alternator is. If the current is below specification, then the voltage has to suffer under heavy loads.

If you are driving around in daytime, and the battery survives the ordeal, but leaves you stranded at night, then you have low current provided by the alternator. This condition might not be indicated by the Charging System Light. You should have low voltage at this time as well. If current is low but the load is high, the voltage will drop while the system struggles to provide the power that is demanded.

[jsoto]

Woot Woot.
2 Days of Driving and I'm pretty positive the hiccups are done.
I can now unload my car and make the X back the soccer toddlers car back again.

Ahh....I've got my 2 years worth of wrenching. Hopefully no more until Summer 2016
\\\Did I just jinx it