Battery/charge light on

[SWD]

87 Celebrity Calais with 305 IO. Charge light on....very dim. Checked alternator. Clean terminals and is charging at 14.4 v. Any suggestions where to trouble shoot?

 

[gm280]

Well 14.4 volts really doesn't sound like a problem. But you could remove the alternator and have it tested at an auto parts store. However, I will add that one of the test they do on alternators now is test to see if the light circuit is defective. And if you don't have a voltage meter for seeing the charge voltage, they could tell you your alternator is bad for the light circuit coming on and not going out. If that charge light is important to you, then you may be shelling out a few dollars for a new one. Not because it wasn't wronging properly, but because the light wouldn't go out... JMHO!

 

[alldodge]

87 Celebrity Calais with 305 IO. Charge light on....very dim. Checked alternator. Clean terminals and is charging at 14.4 v. Any suggestions where to trouble shoot?

Start with the battery cables, both ends and clean them up to shinny metal. Also check connections for the light on both ends to see if they have any corrosion.

 

[joetheis]

I'm betting a diode in the alt is bad, how many amps is it putting out?
They have 3 (diode only lets E-lectricty go one way). If one is bad you get a dim light, it'll charge but not fullly.
A test at a auto store should tell you if the alt is bad, (it's good but the diodes are bad).
Joe
Just one guys thoughts, take it with a can of beer!