1997 Chrysler Sebring Charging system issue

SOMEWHATANNOYED

MEMBER
1997 CHRYSLER SEBRING
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
135,000 MILES

I was driving home late last night in a pouring rain when the battery light came on. The instrument panel lights were flickering and I assumed that I would be stranded on the freeway, but I managed to make it home (about 25 miles) without losing power.

This morning I checked the battery with a volt meter(analog) which showed a little under ten volts. I started the car with no problem and noticed that the battery light was not on.

I checked the charging voltage and the needle was jumping erratically between 13 and 14 volts. I turned on the headlights and every other electric item I could think of but still no battery light.

I now have the battery charging but I'm confused as to what I may be dealing with.

Ideas?

Thanks

3 Replies

MERLIN2021

MECHANIC
17,250 POSTS

You may be dealing with a siple belt slip. Has the serp belt and tensioner been replaced yet? 135,000 you are close to needing them!

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Saturday, February 14th, 2009 AT 12:27 PM

SOMEWHATANNOYED

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks for the reply! I replaced the belt and tensioner about 9 months ago, but upon further inspection it seems a little on the loose side. I suspect that with a lot of water on the roads that the belt was slipping just enough to cause a low charge situation.

I've charged the battery and run the car at idle with the headlights on high, the A/C and radio on and the alternator is charging at between 13 and 14 volts, and the battery light doesn't come on, so until I see another problem I'm going with the loose belt theory.

Thanks again!