battery light on?

[MProtege2000]

The other day my car died on me. Gauges were flickering and the everything died. I had the battery and alternator checked out and everything was good but still my battery light comes on at low rpm and off at high rpm. This also happened before it died. Any ideas to what is going on?

 

[concept]

That normally points to a bad alternator. It could also mean that a cell is bad. If you have a multimeter, check voltage at the battery while idling. It should be 13.5V - 14.2V. With engine off, your battery should put out at least 12.2V or so.

 

[MProtege2000]

I figured it was the alternator but I just didn't understand why it would pass the test at autozone. Oh well thanks for the help.

 

[concept]

If you don't have a multimeter, you can pick up something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

I've had one like it for a couple of years now and it comes in handy. I also bought a probe kit:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned)

 

[MProtege2000]

Yeah I went ahead and replaced the alternator for like 26 bucks with a 13 month warranty from a local salvage yard. I was pretty stoked about that. Definitely fixed the problem. Although I don't think I'll go back to autozone to get an alternator tested. Lol