Topic: Battery light
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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OK I was in the car while it was running turning the steering wheel back and forth to fix another problem and notice the battery light on the dash was on. What would cause this to stay on. I had a battery tender on the battery at the time.
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
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#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Does the light go out when you speed the engine up? Or...did it only come on while you had the Tender on it?
Is this the only time you've seen the light come on since you've had the car?
If the engine idle speed went down while you were turning the steering wheel, it may have dropped the charge voltage enough to turn the light on. More info is needed....
Is this the only time you've seen the light come on since you've had the car?
If the engine idle speed went down while you were turning the steering wheel, it may have dropped the charge voltage enough to turn the light on. More info is needed....
Joel Adams
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Well I started the car with the tender on then I notice the light. Then took it off and the light stayed on. I did take the alternator off to have it check before hand and it check fine. The light did not come on when I test drove the car?
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
So the light stays on all the time now, even while driving?
If the alternator checked out good, but the light is still on, you may have a wiring problem...or a loose connection either at the atl, the batt, or under/behind the dash. How's the battery? Which brings us to the obvious question of why you were charging it to start with!
If the alternator checked out good, but the light is still on, you may have a wiring problem...or a loose connection either at the atl, the batt, or under/behind the dash. How's the battery? Which brings us to the obvious question of why you were charging it to start with!
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
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Oak Creek, WI - USA
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Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
And it could be that somewhere there is a grounding issue. I speak from experience.
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Vette(s): 1979, 350sb, as my kids affectionately call it "shit brown" Corvette purchased in 1996. 84,000+ miles. Not a show car, but I love her just the same.
This problem could also be an alternator problem even though you got it checked out. When my battery light came on and stayed on KStyer gave me instructions for removing the alternator and changing out the voltage regulator in it. It was a $5.00 part at Auto Zone. I think instructions are also on several of the other corvette forums. There may even be some here. It was an incredibly easy fix for one who is not as "wrench savvy" as many on this site.
Hope you get it figured out soon.
I also leave a battery tender on all winter and have never had any adverse effects from it. In fact, all of my battery assisted engines get battery tenders through the winter months.
Did you take the tender off with the car off, then start the car and see what happens?
If so, what is the charging voltage at the battery terminal of the alt, and at the battery itself when running?
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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