CHG Dash light

[jj260z]

Is this battery chg light suppose to stay on??

It don't matter if I change the battery or leave it on trickle charge. On or off it stays on all the time.



Reason I ask is ive got a battery drain somewhere. After a few days it's buggered I've done the multimeter and fuse pull check and it showed nothing. I'm stumped as the battery is new and I took the last one back as I thought it was faulty.

Thanks in advance

J

[status]

Might be your alternater that is at fault,the light should not be on all the time

[ben240z]

The light is connected to the alternator and normally stays on when there is no charge coming from the alternator.
This would fit in with the description you have given as the car will run for some time on the battery until there is no charge left in it.

Check the wiring on the back of the alternator to ensure it is secure then if that is not the problem change the alternator.

The light should come on when the ignition is turned on but then go out once the engine has started

[ben240z]

With the engine running put a multi meter across the battery and you should see over 13 volts. Switch all the lights on and there should still be over 13 volts. If not change the alternator.

[Rob Gaskin]

As your charge light is actually situated in a Voltmeter designed to show you the state of the battery and charging system why can't you just use the voltmeter?

Tips on Reading Gauges: Voltmeter

[SKiddell]

A faulty diode pack in the alternator can "leak" current to ground resulting in the battery going flat after a while.

A symptom of the above is the charge light staying on.
Park car up, disconnect alternator connections and see if leakage still occurs

1. run car, switch headlights on, rev car...do the lights brighten
2. Read the voltmeter, does it climb slightly with revs
3. Run car, when running discconect the battery terminals (live) does the car still run

If the answer to the above is no your alternator is suspect with the faut mentioned.

[jj260z]

Thanks guys I'll check this out

However I've had the car over a year it works fine just plays up if you leave it a few days. I've driven it from Adelaide to Melbournge over a thousand ks without any problems. Just baffled the light stays on. Sometimes it's the nect day it's dead sometimes it's a week later.

[jj260z]

Morning or evening depends where you are and what time you read this

I checked the battery again with a multimeter

12.6 off 14.3 when on, So its charging and assume the alternaters ok. Did have a hunt around the engine bay found an earth cable that i think should be connected to the body.

connected it........ light still stays on but.......

car starts better or it could be just me

But light no goes off when ingintion on and engine on light only on when engine off and keys out of ignition

anyone got any ideas???