battery light on

2006 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER
85,000 MILES • 2.4L • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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ZEMORZEMOR
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the battery light comes on and off.
when it comes on i turn off the engine and restart the car it comes off.
i think it comes on when the car sit for few hours a start the engine.
i checked the battery it hold charge and the alternator under load it seems good
what could be the problem
Feb 2, 2014 at 9:19 AM
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SATURNTECH9
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With the car at idle and the battery light on tell me what the voltage is at the battery?Sounds like a alternator going bad.Some die slow and some go suddenly.
Feb 2, 2014 at 11:13 AM
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ZEMORZEMOR
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the voltage when the car at idle and the battery light is on is 14.7 volt.the guy at oreilly is used to be a mecanic he checked the alternator and the battery . he told me the alternator is good he tested it under load headlight on and i gave him the battery he put it in the charger for 10 minutes he said the battery is holding the charge
Feb 3, 2014 at 7:04 PM
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JULIAHARM
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Hi,
about two days ago, my battery light went on when I was on an incline. I went to my mechanic who tested the battery and said it was charged. We turned the car on and off a few times and nothing. Then the battery light went on again later that night. I rinsed off some of the corrosion on the battery with water and it was fine for a day. Then, when i was going up a hill yesterday, the battery light went on again and has stayed on since - the cable connecting to the battery seems firm and only one of the cable attachments to the battery has corrosion - what should I do?
May 4, 2020 at 2:08 PM (Merged)
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RASMATAZ
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If the battery is in good condition with clean and tight posts/cables-have the alternator load tested might not be putting out or the battery is not taking the charge.
May 4, 2020 at 2:08 PM (Merged)
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ZEMORZEMOR
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The battery light is on. today i replaced the battery and the battery light still on.
there is a DTC code p063a generator voltage sense circuit .the alternator is generating 14.5 volt when the car is running and under load

what could be the problem
thank you
May 4, 2020 at 2:08 PM (Merged)
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HOMER1967
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this is a very common issue on that particular vehicle.there is a T.S.B. (technical service bulletin) pertaining to that exact issue.the t.s.b. number is 18-007-07. it requires updating and/or reflashing the pcm.call you local dealer and ask them about the t.s.b. number.
May 4, 2020 at 2:08 PM (Merged)
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ZEMORZEMOR
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I have a DTC code P063A.
battery and alternator are good.
i hook up a voltmeter to the battery car and drove it the battery light came in when voltage was 14.3 volt
May 4, 2020 at 2:08 PM (Merged)
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JDL
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I saw a service bulletin related to the p063A code as well as other code. It was listed under driveability improvements. You reflash/reprogram the computer. You may need to take it to dealership? The ref number for the bulletin is 18-007-07.
May 4, 2020 at 2:08 PM (Merged)
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PAM BURTON
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I have had the battery and alternator checked they are ok what should I try next
May 4, 2020 at 2:09 PM (Merged)
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi:
If the alt light is coming on from time to time, I say the alt is the problem. When it was checked, was the light on?

Joe
May 4, 2020 at 2:09 PM (Merged)
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PAM BURTON
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no
May 4, 2020 at 2:09 PM (Merged)
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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You need to have it checked when the light is on. My guess is that it's going bad.
May 4, 2020 at 2:09 PM (Merged)
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PAM BURTON
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Thank you it was a bad alternator
May 4, 2020 at 2:09 PM (Merged)
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PAM BURTON
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I have had the battery and alternator/genorator checked and everything checked out ok so where to I go from here?
May 4, 2020 at 2:09 PM (Merged)
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Chances are the alt is on its way out. However, when you have it checked, it is working fine. I would think it will progressively get worse to a point that they will be able to identify the problem.
May 4, 2020 at 2:09 PM (Merged)
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Pam, if you have other questions let us know, and I would like to kow how you make out with this problem.

Joe
May 4, 2020 at 2:09 PM (Merged)
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PAM BURTON
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OK Joe I will keep you posted
May 4, 2020 at 2:09 PM (Merged)
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ZEMORZEMOR
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I m looking for electrical diagram for the battery light .i want to check the circuit if it shorted

Thank you
May 4, 2020 at 2:09 PM (Merged)
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MLDANIELS2000
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Let me ask what kind of issue you are having. Maybe we can help you with it.
May 4, 2020 at 2:09 PM (Merged)
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ZEMORZEMOR
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the battery light comes on and after i turn off the engine and restart it it is not on anymore it does that every day so i think my be there is a short in the circuit
May 4, 2020 at 2:09 PM (Merged)
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CARADIODOC
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Hi guys. Excuse me for butting in here but the warning light is simply telling you there's a problem. It's doing what it's supposed to do. The most common failure, especially when it's intermittent like this, is worn brushes. Unfortunately, after 35 years of one of the easiest charging systems to diagnose, the engineers at Chrysler found a solution where there was no problem and they changed the wiring of the field circuit. You can't use voltage readings anymore to diagnose worn brushes.

My reason for sticking my nose in here is I know Zemorzemor works on more vehicles than the average car owner, and I'm hoping to learn something about this system. Unlike the older systems, this one has one field terminal grounded instead of being supplied with full battery voltage. The other one is supplied a varying voltage from the Engine Computer. It is varied from 4 to 11 volts depending on the needs of the electrical system. A higher voltage makes a stronger magnetic field, and produces more output current. What I'd like to learn is what happens to that voltage when the brushes are open. It's either going to stay at the control voltage of around 4 - 11 volts or it's going to go up to battery voltage. If it goes to battery voltage, that will be a dandy clue to diagnosing these systems.

You may have to resort to measuring for continuity between the two field terminals with an ohm meter, but even that presents problems. If you find around 4 ohms, the brushes are making good continuity right now, but that doesn't mean they will after the engine has been running a while. If they measure open circuit, they could be worn or there could just be a chip of carbon holding them open. Even with a good or brand new alternator, the brushes will read open over half of the time until you irritate the pulley a little.
May 4, 2020 at 2:09 PM (Merged)
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ZEMORZEMOR
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so where can i find brushes i checked with autozone and others they do not have them
May 4, 2020 at 2:09 PM (Merged)
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CARADIODOC
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First look in your area for a starter / generator rebuilder. All larger cities have them. The guys at any auto parts store will know if there's one near you. I just put a brush assembly in one of my Grand Caravans last summer. The part cost nine bucks.

We also have a farm supply / hardware store chain that has starter and generator rebuild kits. I just checked my favorite online source and the brushes weren't listed. I think an '06 might be too new. From the picture of the alternator for your car, it looks like a Nippensenso unit. They have a stamped steel cover to remove, then three small bolts hold the brush assembly on.

You can also do a search online for "alternator parts". There's a lot of places that sell them. I sell all kinds of brushes and starter repair parts, along with selling and repairing Chrysler car radios, at the nation's second largest old car show swap meet about 50 miles from my home.

The reason these parts aren't available at auto parts stores is most do-it-yourselfers wouldn't know how to diagnose or perform this repair, and professionals don't repair customers' cars this way. It takes extra time and there's the chance of doing something wrong. Customers usually get more angry at having to come back a second time than they do if you sell them a complete rebuilt generator at a much higher cost. Labor cost is less; parts cost is higher, so it evens out, and the chance of something going wrong is much less. Also, a rebuilt alternator comes with a warranty. For those two reasons, brush assemblies aren't real popular so the auto parts stores don't stock them.

You can also try ordering the assembly from the dealer. I doubt they will have it in stock for the same reasons I just mentioned. Years ago I often bought replacement brushes with the insulating holders and washers for the '70s and '80s Chrysler alternators, from the dealer for around five bucks for the whole kit that included more parts than were needed. Today you can buy just the pair of those brushes, without the extras, for about three bucks from those rebuilder companies.

I have a web site too geared toward students, instructors, and do-it-yourselfers with a page about this alternator and how to replace the brush assembly. We aren't supposed to post external links here but if you are able to send me a private message, I can give you the name of the web site if you think it will help.
May 4, 2020 at 2:09 PM (Merged)
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ZEMORZEMOR
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my email is [email protected]
Thank you for your help
May 4, 2020 at 2:09 PM (Merged)
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ZEMORZEMOR
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i have a problem with my car its a 96 honda accord 2.2 liters automatic front wheel drive .the car has a hydraulic rear engine mount with vacuum solenoid that mount is cracked. could this mount make noise after put the car in gear and release the foot pedal the noise last for 2 second and goes away.it makes noise only after i release the foot pedal and the car is in gear.
May 4, 2020 at 2:09 PM (Merged)
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CARADIODOC
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I saw your question for this problem and posted this reply:

The engine rocks when you shift direction or accelerate. Look for anything that moves at that time. There's a lot of different kinds of noises, from metallic clanks to creaks and thumps. Also look at any flexible joints in the exhaust system. Check the rubber isolators in all of the engine mounts to see if one is deteriorated and hitting metal-on-metal.

Other than that, my best suggestion is to have the car in the air on a drive-on hoist so you can watch what happens when a helper shifts it.
May 4, 2020 at 2:09 PM (Merged)