Alright, I have stored my turboed Eclipse for the winter. Left a battery in it to keep use of the alarm. Battery was getting low so I swapped it into my 97 to recharge via driving around. Didn't seem to work. Got the battery light in the dash.

Reswapped the new battery into the 97 and still got the battery light. The car will only start when jumped.

I researched, and found it was something in the charging system. The only thing I can think of is the alternator.

Anyone have insight on this? Gone through the same thing?

Thanks
Jon

umm well i dunno if this would help you or no...but my pulleys/belts are all screwed up and it causes my battery light to come on..they squeak like all hell 2 :scratch ...that or ur alternator i'd say

Are your battery cables in good condition, and are the connections tight?

Well I did just put new belts in, and had to re-tighten the accessory belt, but have not done the alternator belt. I dont get any squeaks tho.

Wouldn't the alternator charge even if the belt is loose? I mean the pulley is still turning. ?????

not if its slippin really bad, this same thing was happening to me in my avenger, turned out to be a bad altinater, the damn pulley wasnt turning like it was saposed to sumthin was goin on inside of the alt itself, i replaced the altinater and BAM, prob fixed

sounds like a bad alt. what is your voltage? thats what sets off the light in the dash.

edit: i forgot to add...

listen to the above replies. it could be bad terminals as well. on my neon, the battery light illuminates on occasion. i have to whack the terminals with a hammer to get it to turn of, lol.

Jon I have a spare alternator that I bought when I had the same problem. Turns out that my problem was crappy factory terminals! I've got new terminals I will throw in if you buy this off me!

Before you buy anything though, check the tension on the alternator belt.

If the voltage regulator is going out, that is bad news since it is inside the ECU. Most regs are found on the alternator, but ours are internal.

I really need to get this alternator out of my garage! $50 shipped with the extra terminals. I'm gonna drop you a PM.

your voltage reg on your alternator is going out, sooner or later its just going to stop charging the battery all together, and your voltage will drop to unsafe levels. just replace your alternator and it wouldnt hurt to throw on some good new terminals either. if your voltage drops to low, (i.e-10v) you'll starve the fuel pump and run lean....and well, thats not fun

you can also check the white cables going to the alternator, they may have gotten messed up and are grounding out or something

good luck, its probly the alternator...ours suck

Cool thanks fella's. I'll check it out.

Originally posted by turbo8u
your voltage reg on your alternator is going out, sooner or later its just going to stop charging the battery all together, and your voltage will drop to unsafe levels. just replace your alternator and it wouldnt hurt to throw on some good new terminals either. if your voltage drops to low, (i.e-10v) you'll starve the fuel pump and run lean....and well, thats not fun you can also check the white cables going to the alternator, they may have gotten messed up and are grounding out or something good luck, its probly the alternator...ours suck

our voltage regulator is in the ecu. and yea our alternators do suck. i've had mine off and on atleast 4 times.

Jon, remember I have an extra alternator with your name on it!