Battery light on dim

  1. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2002 United Kingdom Posts: 8390
    #1
    '99 VTS.

    Battery voltage shows 12.5-12.6v
    Battery light is on dim when you turn the key to the first click. Battery voltage shows 12.5v
    Battery light stays dim on 2nd key click, 12.5v

    Car starts no problem, battery light stays dim though, battery voltage shows 12-12.1v, same voltage at the alternator charging post.

    Without chasing anything else, it has to be the alternator imo. Anything else that might cause it?
  2. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B
    #2
    its the alternator.. should be min 13v when you start it up but ideally 13.4

    the fact its gone down when youve started it means theres no charging at all

    check the terminals they often corrode
  3. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2002 United Kingdom Posts: 8390
    #3
    Aye terminals are fine man. New alternator time, luckily not my car! Cheers
  4. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Dec 2007 smurfland. Posts: 17346 Ex saxo owner.
    #4
    Mines doing similar,& flick the ignition to the 1st stage then put the indicators on & the battery light pulses.
  5. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B
    #5
    dodgy earth or charging cable steve
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  6. Saxperience Post Whore Joined: Dec 2002 United Kingdom Posts: 8390
    #6
    Wee update on this.

    Changed the alternator and thats now charging at 13.9-14.2v, so Im sure thats ok. I also changed the starter->battery +ve cable and cleaned the terminals, but.. BUT! Th battery light is still on dim when the key is at the last click AND when the engine is running. Wtf.

    My mate said before all this permanently dimly-lit nonsense happened, his dash went bright as fuck and his wiper was going at 2000000mph. Now that the alt has been changed, +ve cable changed for a known good and terminals cleaned, the only thing I can think is that the previous alternator shat itself and fried a wire in the engine loom.

    Any ideas?
  7. Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Mar 2009 Morpeth Posts: 2539 BMW 116d Regional Toner Sales Edition
    #7
    Is it not the shitty clip on the alternator that always breaks that controls the dash light? Mine was forever coming loose on my VTS due to my hero gear changes and engine movement, so I taped it up with black tape.
  8. Established Member Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 2009 Saxò VTS 16v
    #8
    Done as D4MJT,mine had the same issue.