Battery light came on.

[da888]

Hello, my battery light came on. I replaced the battery because it was 8 years old but it seemed to charge just fine. Light is still on. I don't see any increase at the terminals with car running. 12.7 v

I read other discussions on here. Would I just go to the alternator regulator next and is that on the back of the alt. ? Or is it in the ECU ?

The other thing here is I put the roof up three days ago without starting the car. Left the ignition on, like a mallet head, put the battery tender on, it's the CTEK 4.3. So did I burn something out ?

The old CTEK I had blew out a week ago. So this is a brand new one I made the mistake with.

2001 Boxster 68K miles.

After I realized the mistake I made, the car ran fine for 20 miles. But after three short drives and starting the engine each time, is when the light came on.

Thanks for any reply's.

[mikefocke]

Charging should be a lot higher than 12.7. A thread below this said 14.2 which I presume is at maybe 2500 RPM. New batteries can be bad. Batteries can be tested for free at most shops that sell batteries.

[JFP in PA]

On 10/12/2022 at 6:06 PM, da888 said:

Hello, my battery light came on. I replaced the battery because it was 8 years old but it seemed to charge just fine. Light is still on. I don't see any increase at the terminals with car running. 12.7 v

I read other discussions on here. Would I just go to the alternator regulator next and is that on the back of the alt. ? Or is it in the ECU ?

The other thing here is I put the roof up three days ago without starting the car. Left the ignition on, like a mallet head, put the battery tender on, it's the CTEK 4.3. So did I burn something out ?

The old CTEK I had blew out a week ago. So this is a brand new one I made the mistake with.

2001 Boxster 68K miles.

After I realized the mistake I made, the car ran fine for 20 miles. But after three short drives and starting the engine each time, is when the light came on.

Thanks for any reply's.

Both the battery and the alternator can be tested by most auto parts stores, or any decently equipped shop.  While it could be the battery but is more likely an alternator issue.

[da888]

Yes it was the alternator. It tested bad when I removed it and took it to a local guy. He also told me the clutch pulley wasn't working on it either. I decided to replace the tensioner pulley as well after reading the clutch pulley being bad would most likely effect the tensioner.

Hopefully this will make the light go away. This is not a job for 65 year old knees !

Thanks for the replies. I figure the ignition being on with the smart charger running didn't do any harm.

[da888]

Yep the light went out and the engine is much quieter. Bearings in the alt. were bad as well. For the last two years I thought I heard something different but just went with it.