Volt Light

Hey, its me again. My car has decided to give me one problem per week
now. My Volt light by my voltage gauge wont go off when I'm driving. Also
my volt gauge is now reading lower than before, but still in the good zone.
It used to always read near the upper edge of the good area. The car starts
fine, runs, all electrics work fine. But when I use my turn signals, they go a
little slower, and the windows go up and down slower too. I don't think its
running off the battery because it ran fine for at least an hour after this.
Does anybody know what could be causing this? Thanks. I have an
appointment to have this looked at tomorrow morning.

1) buy a cheap voltmeter (Less than $20 at cdn tire, or as expensive as you like)

2) With the car off, take a voltage measurement at the battery

3) Crank up the car, run to about 2k rpm and remeasure voltage

If the voltage is less in 3) than 2), your alt is shot. If 3) is greater than 2), then you have a grounding issue in the lamp circuit and your alt is ok.

It could also be a very loose belt allowing the altenator to slip. this will produce all the same traits as a failing alt. It may or may not be accompanied by belt squeal.

From the symptoms you have described you are living on borrowed time. I suspect your alt is shot and your good battery is supporting all the car's electrical load...The voltage on your battery will continue to diminish until it dies completely. then, you need a new alt and a new battery won't be far behind. If you don't have the means, this is a 5 minute check for a car shop, and you shouldn't be charged for some 'charging system' check or some such bs that they always try to ding you $50 for.

Chay