#CAR BATTERY INDICATOR NOT WORKING MANUAL#

If the light doesn't come on the problem is the connector, the wiring, or the cluster. the voltage regulator being the usual suspect. If so the wiring and cluster are fine and the problem is most likely internal to the alternator. If you ground that lead and turn the key to 'ON' the bat light should come on. this is the one that goes to the BAT light.

any corrosion? Broken/loose wire?Ģ) If not, you'll need your Bentley to find out which terminal on your particular harness is the D+ lead. One possible set of troubleshooting steps:ġ) Start by unplugging the harness at the back of the alternator and inspecting carefully. But in some cases you will also have to remove the steering wheel (for details see Projects 2). On the majority of cars you have only to remove the steering column shroud to gain access to the indicator stalk switch mechanism. The most usual (non-alternator) issues are with the connector at the back of the alternator, the wiring between the alternator and the cluster, or the cluster itself. Before carrying out any work on the stalk disconnect the battery leads as a safety precaution against short circuits. What's a bit strange is that it sounds like your BAT light was working (ie it came on while you were driving) but no longer does? it's how the alternator gets the excitation voltage it needs to begin generating electricity on its own. The BAT light is actually an important part of the charging circuit. PS: I did take it to Autozone for a diagnostic and they confirmed that the alternator wasn't working, but could offer no other guidance. So, my first question is, would a bad alternator/regulator keep the light from coming on? I really don't want to go the the alternator R&R procedure if I've got some other problem.

#CAR BATTERY INDICATOR NOT WORKING MANUAL#

The Bently manual indicates that this suggests a wiring problem that should be fixed first, but aside from verifying battery voltage at the 3 points on the alternator, it's unclear what could be wrong or what should be done. with the car off, I turn the key to 'run' and all the other dashboard indicators come on, but there is no battery symbol). I have verified that I've got battery voltage at the B+ (big) alternator terminal, and on both the contacts inside the little connector on the alternator.īUT: My dashboard battery light does NOT come on when I turn the key to the 'run' position (i.e.

Since then, I've been driving about 20 miles a day with the headlight fuses removed and recharging the battery at night. When I got home I verified that the battery voltage was low and that the the charger didn't appear to be working (voltage staying at about 11.3 at any RPM). Earlier in the week I was driving home and my battery light came on. I've got a 2001 Jetta TDI with 90k miles.

Car battery indicator not working