Battery indicator lit - when restarting warm engine
 

Hi,

The car died when my wife was driving home today. Battery lamp lit up, then after a while car died. I went over to pick it up, got a jump and drove home with no battery lamp lit. A diagnostick cigarette device showed battery and alternator was okay.

When I was going out shortly after the battery lamp was lit and voltage showed 11,7.

Several hours later I started the car again and no problem. Used test 09 and took the car for a quick spin. The voltage reading was between 13.1 - 13.6. I put on all the electrical stuff like heated seats, window wipers etc and the voltage dropped to 12.1

Stopped the car and restarted... Battery lit again and 11.7v

Alternator failing?

what's the year/model of your car?
how old is the current battery?
have you ever had a battery drain with this battery before or other issues (how many times have you jumped it, etc..)?
have you ever had any other electrical issues in the past?

Car is 2001 3.0i

Battery is about 2 years old. Did have several issues with battery being drained last year. But have worked fine for about a year now. Prob been jumped 5 times or so.

Have a few gremlins like rear hatch popping open by itself at times, fault on rear fog lights. Turn signal blinking fast (front left or front right lamp stops working intermittantly) comes and goes.

Battery warning light illuminates when the battery is the VICTIM of the charging system...not the culprit. The battery can eventually become the source of a no start problem if it is killed by the charging system and is not replenished from repeated deep states of discharge.

Remember to also check your V belts, pulleys, and tensioners to make sure they aren't slipping...thus possibly causing momentary lapses that can cause the light to illuminate indicating the battery is not receiving an acceptable charge.

Thanks for replies.



The battery is being charged at 13.1-13.6 when car is started cold. But if car is started warm it won't charge the battery at all and car will run off battery alone for as long as the battery may last until caer dies.


Anyone experienced the same thing?

Probably. Alternator/Regulator.

I own a e53 4.4i 2002, recently I have the problem of my dash saying "TRANS FAILSAFE PROG" and my battery light red turned on, but went away and back again. I took it to shop immediately they did their test the outcome was failing Alternator was only producing 11v to the battery. I replaced the alternator yesterday all as well so far......

..alternator test at mechanic.... price a rebuild, or new and plan on having it installed. shop around for price if you don't do it yourself- could save a few hundred bucks.