Battery light is making me crazy

[AWD EXPY]

The idiot battery light indicator starts to flicker a few minutes after I start up. It doesn't flicker at idle, but does at any higher rpm. As I'm driving, it could flicker sporadically or on mostly solid, or sometimes not at all. It seems to get a bit worse each week.

Interestingly, if I press the gas and speed up from fast speed to faster, then the light goes out as long as I'm pushing the gas pedal to accelerate.

I tested with a meter at the power plug, and get 14.2 volts, when driving at any speed. My battery is 10 months old, and is quite strong. I also replaced the voltage regulator at that time. Battery connections are good.

Does anyone have some kind of similar experiences, or have ideas about this?

It doesn't seem to be tied in with the occasional no-start moments. Sometimes the starter will crank, but no fire. But eventually will fire up after a few or a few dozen attempts.

 

[bedrck46]

may possibly be that the brushes aren't making good contact in the alternator.

 

[stamp11127]

Could be a faulty regulator. First I'd check the connections to the alternator for being good, tight & no corrosion. The regulator is sensing low voltage to the stator.

Check the connections inside the plug to the alternator. I've had them break inside and still make contact. Took some time to trace that down.

 

[hwy73]

Others have posted of finding corrosion at the Alternator mounting points. Apparently the Alternator grounds through its mounting bolts.

 

[AWD EXPY]

Thanks for the ideas. I checked on some of these and found that the 3 conductor plug to the alternator doesn't click into place when inserting. It's fairly easily pulled off. I'll know if it's any different on the way to work tomorrow.

 

[AWD EXPY]

Well today's ride into work had no idiot lights come on. So I need to figure what will work best to hold the plug steady. Also I need to figure out how to make the low fuel light disappear. Haha.

Another thread will be posted in the engine section, regarding starting issues.

Thanks to all who replied. Best to ya.

 

[stamp11127]

You can secure the plug with a tried and true redneck fix....
Shoot some rtv between the plug and alternator case AFTER it is plugged in.
It will turn into your home made "weather pack connector"

 

[Yudaman]

. Also I need to figure out how to make the low fuel light disappear. Haha.

Cut half of your your foot off? After all, that would make it lighter...