Charging idiot light on dash - Diesel Forum

djbwdmd · 01-10-2007, 12:06 AM

I've been a member for 6 months but have not posted. Enjoy all the info. here it has been great. My batteries went dead with the lights flicking off and symptoms of the alternator failing that have been listed in previous posts. I replaced the batteries and the alternator and now the battery shaped charging light is on and won't go off. This light never came on when everything else was failing. My Bullydog monitor has a volt meter in it which reads 12.8-12.9v when the key is on, and moves to 13.1-13.3v when the engine is running. Any info on why the charging light is on on the dash?
Appreciate your help. I'll get my signature updated. I have and 03 6.0 w/ 116,000 on it.

Halitosis · 01-11-2007, 02:24 AM

I have no idea if this could be remotely linked... but I'll throw it out there.

Bad/corroded connections on your battery terminals?

Halitosis

djbwdmd · 01-11-2007, 11:17 PM

Stupid question, a little electrical grease and a little wiggle on the alternator connector, no more light.
Now we know why it's an idiot light.

anoxic · 01-12-2007, 07:27 AM

Noticed on wifes X this morning the the battery light was blinking on and off also. 10 month old batteries and Alt. Maybe it is time to check connection [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

housedad · 01-12-2007, 09:23 AM

The damn dash light doesn't work when you need it. IT happened to me at a really bad time. Read this link:

Excursion Died

Mudraga · 01-12-2007, 06:05 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Noticed on wifes X this morning the the battery light was blinking on and off also. 10 month old batteries and Alt. Maybe it is time to check connection [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

This happened to me too. Only it was on a two week old (NEW not rebuilt) alternator. Took it back to O'reilly and they said it was bad and gave me a replacement (rebuilt). Been fine since then. OH and my light worked properly when the first alternator was going out as well. When the charging amperage was low, the light came on. For a week the light would only come on at idle. Then it finally stayed on all the time, which was when I replaced the alternator.