Battery light just came on

[Sunfire444]

Hi there, I need some help!! My battery light just came in in my Protege, I checked my belts and all my fluids and everything seems ok. So I'm wondering if it could possibly be my alternator? It's making a weird almost winding sound when it started, and after I parked it it ha a weird machiney smell, I don't know how to describe it but it wasn't good that's for sure. I also just drove it a short distance under 5 km to back home when it happened, has this happened to anyone before? My bf and I think it's the alternator but could it be anything else??

 

[MaxPower]

Most likely the alternator. The smell might be coming from a belt if the alternator pulley is binding. Some autoparts stores offer free charging system testing. You probably only have about 30 minutes of power remaining in the battery, at best.

 

[03protolx]

Yup, the battery light will illuminate when there isn't enough voltage coming out of your alternator, when it dips below 13 volts i believe. Time for a new one!