Question Battery Light

[rhinamen]

I am new to forums i have a question about my battery light on an 07 camry it came on after i had some interior lights changed and a fuse blew i replaced it and drove off then noticed it was on so i took it to the dealership like it says to but they said they did not have time and these kind of problems have to be scheduled and cost $60-$100 to do a diagnostic i also asked them if it could have bin because my fuse blew out but they said no that shouldnt cause a problem and said it could be my battery is bad or my recharging unit is not recharging properly and they wouldnt even take a quick look so after returning home i opened my battery and filled it up with water since it was low and the light is still on i was just wondering if any one has had simular things happen or know whats going on exactly and your opinions on what i should do

[mustang67408]

Find another dealership.... or check the "gauge #1 fuse, Gauge #2 fuse and the ALT-B fuse". These 3 fuses supply the alternator and if 1 of them is blown, the alt will not charge. The 120amp Fuse link also feeds the big BLACK wire to the alt, test for voltage there too.

[rhinamen]

Originally Posted by mustang67408

Find another dealership.... or check the "gauge #1 fuse, Gauge #2 fuse and the ALT-B fuse". These 3 fuses supply the alternator and if 1 of them is blown, the alt will not charge. The 120amp Fuse link also feeds the big BLACK wire to the alt, test for voltage there too.

my alternator and everything is fine ive driven around with no problems it just bugs me why my light turned on and i dont really want to go to a dealership and pay 60-100 dollars to tell me nothings wrong and turn that light off for me.

[mustang67408]

I have personally see 2 camry's (08/09) with alt lights on....it NEEDS an ALT, as long as the fuses are good. The regulator is inside the alt and also controls the light. It may be charging and everything is ok, but it also controls the light. That circuit inside the alt may be faulty. Alt is covered 3yr/36k miles.
good luck

[rhinamen]

Originally Posted by mustang67408

I have personally see 2 camry's (08/09) with alt lights on....it NEEDS an ALT, as long as the fuses are good. The regulator is inside the alt and also controls the light. It may be charging and everything is ok, but it also controls the light. That circuit inside the alt may be faulty. Alt is covered 3yr/36k miles.
good luck

i dont think my alt is bad because ive bin driving for a few days now with no problems and my warranty expired already just having the light on bugs me so ill probly end up taking it in to the dealership or somthing thanks for your feed back

[DMZX]

Originally Posted by rhinamen

i dont think my alt is bad because ive bin driving for a few days now with no problems and my warranty expired already just having the light on bugs me so ill probly end up taking it in to the dealership or somthing thanks for your feed back

It is possible to drive around for a week with a weak alt. The battery will slowly die. The timing depends on the load being put on the system. The battery light may not be the best indicator of trouble, depending on what voltage level trips it. It is not uncommon to see a battery light flicker at idle and go out when the revs are up.

The only way to truly determine if an alt is good is to put a voltmeter on it (most auto parts stores will do that for free). It should be producing just over 14 volts.

[rhinamen]

Originally Posted by DMZX

It is possible to drive around for a week with a weak alt. The battery will slowly die. The timing depends on the load being put on the system. The battery light may not be the best indicator of trouble, depending on what voltage level trips it. It is not uncommon to see a battery light flicker at idle and go out when the revs are up.

The only way to truly determine if an alt is good is to put a voltmeter on it (most auto parts stores will do that for free). It should be producing just over 14 volts.

yeah i actually went to a auto store they told me my alt is charging a little lower then it should be i also was told it could be a ground. but is there any recomendations for a brand of alts? i was going to go with duralast because of the lifetime warrenty but i heard it i would have to replace them every few months

[DMZX]

Originally Posted by rhinamen

yeah i actually went to a auto store they told me my alt is charging a little lower then it should be i also was told it could be a ground. but is there any recomendations for a brand of alts? i was going to go with duralast because of the lifetime warrenty but i heard it i would have to replace them every few months

Remove, clean and tighten battery connections (coat with Di-electric grease). Check the connections on the alt, clean and tighten. Check alt belt tension and condition, tighten and/or replace.

If voltage is still a bit low, the quick easy fix is replacement. The other alternative is to replace the bushings.

I think over the past 20 years I have purchased 3-4 rebuilt alternators from NAPA. They have cost between $149 - $199 after I trade in the old core. I have never had any problems with their rebuilds. I am not sure what a new OEM alt through he dealer would cost, but I would venture to guess >$250.00.

[mustang67408]

Dealer cost to TS members APPROX = $ 475 (need VIN for exact) and it is NEW, no remanufactured available.
Good Luck with the reman aftermarket, in the last 20 years we have had very poor success and reliability with aftermarket alts.(personal and professional level)

[yspert]

my son. you need to reread the post of the mustang.
like he said, IF ALL OF THE FUSES AND LINKS AT THE BATTERY ARE
GOOD, THEN YOU NEED TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. there is
no doubt. once every ten years, i have seen batteries cause the
"alt" light to come on but ALL OF THE OTHER TIMES THE ALTERNATOR
IS/HAS/WILL BE FAILING.
ask yourself this question: why is the person working at a parts store
and NOT ON CARS. WHY????????? the only thing you should buy
from a parts store is motor oil. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO TAKE YOUR
CAR TO A PROFESSIONAL TO GET IT FIXED. RIGHT? yspert

[rhinamen]

Originally Posted by DMZX

Remove, clean and tighten battery connections (coat with Di-electric grease). Check the connections on the alt, clean and tighten. Check alt belt tension and condition, tighten and/or replace.

If voltage is still a bit low, the quick easy fix is replacement. The other alternative is to replace the bushings.

I think over the past 20 years I have purchased 3-4 rebuilt alternators from NAPA. They have cost between $149 - $199 after I trade in the old core. I have never had any problems with their rebuilds. I am not sure what a new OEM alt through he dealer would cost, but I would venture to guess >$250.00.

yeah i did all the basics i actually went to autozone they said they dont have my alt availiable and i went to a import preforence shop they gave me a estimate of 250ish i think a dealership would charge more because id have to pay for the diagnostic atl and labor.

[rhinamen]

Originally Posted by mustang67408

Dealer cost to TS members APPROX = $ 475 (need VIN for exact) and it is NEW, no remanufactured available.
Good Luck with the reman aftermarket, in the last 20 years we have had very poor success and reliability with aftermarket alts.(personal and professional level)

yeah thats what i heard so im probly going to have to go to the dealership but i dont understand why it went out so quick.

[rhinamen]

Originally Posted by yspert

my son. you need to reread the post of the mustang.
like he said, IF ALL OF THE FUSES AND LINKS AT THE BATTERY ARE
GOOD, THEN YOU NEED TO REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR. there is
no doubt. once every ten years, i have seen batteries cause the
"alt" light to come on but ALL OF THE OTHER TIMES THE ALTERNATOR
IS/HAS/WILL BE FAILING.
ask yourself this question: why is the person working at a parts store
and NOT ON CARS. WHY????????? the only thing you should buy
from a parts store is motor oil. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO TAKE YOUR
CAR TO A PROFESSIONAL TO GET IT FIXED. RIGHT? yspert

i understand that my alt is going bad but i just dont get why it did so fast and going to the dealership for everything gets costly but i get where you coming from.

[mustang67408]

I wish I had a better answer..... $hit happens? Man Made product? It was made on a Monday or a Friday?

[rhinamen]

Originally Posted by mustang67408

I wish I had a better answer..... $hit happens? Man Made product? It was made on a Monday or a Friday?

yeah i geuss thats true probly gonna go make an apointment and get it replaced.