Battery Charge Indicator Problem - BMW Forum

wcre34 · 08-24-2005, 02:52 AM

it been lighting up the pass 2 days when im driving and at a stop light but go away when the car moving.
what this could indicate? Im not sure if it could be my alternator gone bad but i doubt that because when i have my headlights on the lights show up just fine. Could this be my battery giving out?
Or My alternator belt need to be change or readjusted?

thnx

93 325i · 08-24-2005, 08:37 AM

alternator and/or the belt.. when that light is lit it means your alternator is not re-charging your battery. Your car will function until your battery runs dry... depending on the year/ mileage of the car it may be a good thing to replace anyways. Look online for the parts..you'll save a fortune

drz · 08-24-2005, 10:59 AM

Check the drive belt. A lose belt will not properly drive the alternator, hence the lit indicator. Also, take your car to Autozone and get your battery and alternator checked, just in case.

wcre34 · 08-24-2005, 01:12 PM

it went away after i drove for a while today i guess it was charging it self back up reckon the belt and alternator is ok. One thing thats bugging me is maybe it something thats still running that might be using up my battery life over night. Any idea?

drz · 08-24-2005, 01:51 PM

The battery light does not indicate if the battery is charged or not. The indicator illuminates when the alternator is not receiving current. Please make sure and check the drive belt. If it looks worn or cracked in any way, it is time to replace it.

wcre34 · 08-25-2005, 05:45 AM

yep she need new belt its looks worn and seem the tension might have been wrong since start. might have to get the belt tensioners look at took i hope nothing big.

wcre34 · 08-25-2005, 05:46 AM

thank you for your helps folks..

wcre34 · 08-26-2005, 09:28 AM

took my car to the shop today.. its turn out the voltage regulator starting to go bad.

drz · 08-26-2005, 11:16 AM

Taking care of the electrical system is pretty important. On my previous car, I ran on a bad battery for a while, along with bad belts. This resulted in an overworked alternator. The overworked alternator ran very hot, thus allowing the belts to expand and eventually fall off. I went through several drive belts with this problem. I then replaced the alternator, but the problems continued. The alternator relay had gone bad too, from running with a bad alternator (although a new battery and belt were in place). Afterwards, I replaced the relay and the problems went away. This is just to tell you that unattended problems can result in a growing pain = $$$$ out of your procket.

wcre34 · 08-27-2005, 01:47 AM

hmm alternator relay that something i havnt thought about yet. It seem the voltage regulator is the most common and the mechanic didnt seem to diagnost the problem because for some reason he seen too many of the same problem came in. I'll get a volt meter just to be sure of the battery and alternator charging. thnx for the head up man.. much appreciated..