Battery light popped up next thing I know it turned off on its own?

ANONYMOUS

MEMBER
1996 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
200,000 MILES

My car was fine then it started acting weird. I drove it for about a mile and it got hard to steer but was still running then all at once the battery light popped up next thing I know it turned off on its own. I let it sit for 1 hour then went to the car to jump it. And it started but still no turn singles. We got the car almost to the house and it dies like no po9we're but all lights on inside car still works

1 Reply

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

Hello,

The battery light comes on when the alternator is unable to charge the battery. This could be due to a bad alternator or faulty wiring from the alternator to the battery.
A good first step would be to test the alternator output to the battery. You will have to start the vehicle (jump start) and check the voltage on the battery.

Here is a helpful guide:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

If all the cables are secured and free of any corrosion and you are getting insufficient voltage, then it points to a bad alternator.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-alternator

I have attached diagrams for your reference.

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you.

Images (Click to make bigger)