occasional battery warning light

[petrolblue83911]

This weekend just after start-up I was getting the battery light and the oxy-or ox s (I forget what that light right in the middle says) coming on.

They would come on while coasting or idling, The battery is less than 1 yr, not sure about the alternator, what do you all think?-alternator maybe going bad, or just a bad ground somewhere?

The car experienced no other symptoms, IE- no erratic tach or low idle or other issue, just the warning lights. I was only a few miles from home when it happened, the warning lights went out after a few minutes of driving and didnt come back on, I figured I got lucky if the alternator was going.

I did pull the battery a few weeks ago to check for leaks and apply a little Por 15 to cover a little surface rust under the battery, so I thought maybe the connection is loose. upon inspeciton it seems tight, but I didn't really look carefully at the ground.

-Adam

[Joe Bob]

Check the battery posts with a meter.

Fully charged and at rest, 12.5 volts
at idle 12.5-13.0
2500 rpms 13.0-14.0 max, preferably @ 13.5

Anything less, charge the battery with a plugin charger and try again. If the at rest voltage is down the battery is bad, low volts at idle or 2500 rpms, the alt/regulator is suspect.

The above is standard information....for specifics you need to post your model year.

[petrolblue83911]

Thanks Mike,

-I remeber you from the 914 club!-sold my 73 this spring, and still miss it..

-My car is an 83 coupe, I'll break out he v-meter tonight.

-Adam

[Jeff]

Is the fan belt tight. It could be slipping causing the battery light to come on.

[SMC]

What dose your car idle at (RPMs)

[john walker's workshop]

probably the brushes are worn out and barely contacting the commutator.