Battery Light "on" After Battery Replacement

[MrKenny]

Hi Guys,

I just had my battery replaced. I did it myself.

What i did:

I went to supercheap and bought a battery branded "Century" with slightly bigger size battery(the guys said this have more power and it have no problem as long as i can fit it in) because they don't have the one exactly same with the old one i using.

And i went back home then replace my battery, it was pretty quick. After that, yay! my engine started but then i realize i can't turn on my stereo system(radio) , there is no power on stereo. Also the batter light is ON on the dashboard.

I then went back to supercheap and get another guy to check what is wrong with it, he took out a Century battery meter(tester) and then test my car. When he ready he asked me to start my car and then the meter read 10.5V(around) and he told me it has to be minimum 13.X v . Rev the engine won't raise the V too. Then he told me that my "Alternator" is broken and need a replacement for that.

He said the Alternator won't charge the battery anymore that is why it stay at 10.5v and he asked me to drive back home asap and then find a mechanic to replace my Alternator.

Is he correct?

Just want to make sure before i go and buy an Alternator from wreckers.

Thanks a lot guys.

p.s Also my car wasn't so smooth on idle. It's like close to dead, probably it's because it only have 10.5v?

Edited July 10, 2011 by MrKenny

[mad082]

i would get the voltage at the alternator checked to rule out any wiring issues being the cause of the low voltage.

[tridentt150v]

if you remove the alternator any auto electrician can test it for you

[MrKenny]

omg, that's a pain in a ass for me. I dont know how to remove that thing lol haha

[mad082]

if you get a multimeter you can test it yourself, as long as the car will start

[Duncan]

it sounds like an alternator dead (or wiring issue) to me. you are only seeing 10v because the alternator is not working proberly or not working at all, so you are just getting the battery's voltage.

[MrKenny]

it sounds like an alternator dead (or wiring issue) to me. you are only seeing 10v because the alternator is not working proberly or not working at all, so you are just getting the battery's voltage.

yayaya that's what the SuperCheap guy told me, and asked me to replace the Alternator. And he said it will cost a lot :(((

[Duncan]

yeah it will cost a couple of hundred including remove and refit.

personally I'd recommend puting a reconditioned alternator in rather than just a second hand one.....you never know how long another second hand one will last before you need to replace it again.

[MrKenny]

yeah it will cost a couple of hundred including remove and refit.

personally I'd recommend puting a reconditioned alternator in rather than just a second hand one.....you never know how long another second hand one will last before you need to replace it again.

do you mean ask a auto electrician to rebuild the alternator inside for me? do you know roughly how much it will cost? and i have no idea how to remove it from my car and refit it

[Duncan]

yeah it's not a tricky job really...but if not confident get someone to do it for you.

Either they can rebuild the one in your car, or they can swap it for a pre-rebuilt one. Not sure on an exact cost but it will be a couple of hundred dollars.

[t_revz]

its worth checking all the fuses first just incase if you havent already

[Charles89]

^ Battery light could also mean that your horn fuse is out/blown lol

[MrKenny]

if its a fuse issue, it wont stay at 10V right? 10V is way too low correct??

[t_revz]

if its a fuse issue, it wont stay at 10V right? 10V is way too low correct??

alternator has an ignition supply to excite it. without that supply it wont charge and will continue below 10v until it wont run at all. not sure if the light will be on if the fuse is blown but its easy to check fuses so start there