'97 Eclipse GS- Battery light randomly comes on while driving during the day.

[JusMX141]

Lately the battery light has been coming on randomly while driving my '97 Eclipse GS (daily driver.) It seems to only come on about 10-15 minutes into a trip during the day, where none of the lights are on and there isn't really a load on the alternator. At night, while cruising with all the lights on, the battery light has yet to come on.

If you turn off the engine and restart it, the light is off....but it will come back on within 10 minutes or so if you start to drive again.

I've tested and retested the battery using an OTC Load Tester. The alternator is always charging between 13.9 and 14.1 volts anytime I've checked it....even while the battery light is on. I don't really think it's losing voltage; it almost seems as if it overcharges for a split second and throws the light on, but once the light is on it just stays on.

Anyone ever had a similar problem and know for sure it was the alternator?

 

[ilikespeeding]

14 volts is fine. Check grounds.

 

[zero97tsi]

I suppose you didnt check the alternators diode pattern or amperage output? Bring it to an advance auto or autozone and have them run an actual charging system check.

 

[x98awddsm]

Yes I know its an old thread. My 97 gs (daily driver) is doing the exact same thing.. any other ideas of what to check. Battery is a optima red top. (January 06). Could it just be that the battery is old??