Battery light is on?

Tiny
NINERFANJU
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 72,000 MILES
I drive to work at about 4am when the battery light come on the lights get dim, ABS light comes on then brake light, airbag light come the tach drops to zero then speedo drops to zero car starts to miss I startto exit freeway when the battery light go off and everything go back to normal this has happen 3 times I change tha alternated 3 weeks later it did the samething. The only things I have on are the heater, headlights and radio. What could being doing this
Friday, December 5th, 2008 AT 11:23 PM

19 Replies

Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
Let's start by load testing the battery and alternator these guides should help us fix it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Please run down these guides and report back.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, November 29th, 2018 AT 12:49 PM
Tiny
JOEJ121
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 MERCURY SABLE
I have a 2002 mercury sable with the DOHC 3.0 L. My battery light came on, so I had the system checked out. The diagnostic said the alternator was bad. After replacing the alternator, the battery light was still on. Even after clearing the computer. I had the battery load tested and it tested good. However, I was still skeptical about the battery being ok. I decided to replace the battery and cleared the computer and the battery light is still on.

I am at a loss, not sure what the problem could be.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Sunday, November 1st, 2020 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CRZYDRVR
  • MEMBER
  • 432 POSTS
Hello,

We need to check for power at the fuse # 27 here is a guide to help us and the alternator wiring diagrams so you can see how it works and the fuse location as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 1st, 2020 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RGROCKETT48
  • MEMBER
  • 0 POST
Yep you nailed it the fuse was blown, thanks for this psopt I love this site.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 1st, 2020 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
THOMAS R. SCOTT
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2002 MERCURY SABLE
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 173,000 MILES
I was having trouble with my battery light staying on and everything checks out. When I first start the car the battery light stays off for thirty seconds and when it comes on the rpm increases. The alternator is putting out 15.2 volts and the battery stays fully charged. I have checked all grounds, battery cables etc to no avail. I also tried switching the AC on and off which made no difference. It speeds up from 900 rpm to 1100 and after driving a few miles gets back to 900.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 1st, 2020 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,055 POSTS
It sounds like you have the opposite problem as most. When running, you should see around 14 volts at the battery. If the alternator is producing 15.2, that is too high. It sounds like the voltage regulator is bad. And yes, that will turn the battery light on.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 1st, 2020 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BSHOLLY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 MERCURY SABLE
Engine Mechanical problem
2002 Mercury Sable 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

My battery light is always on, my engine light will come on for a couple days but it'll hesitate to go any further. After the engine light disappears, my battery light is still on and it'll act like nothing happened.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 1st, 2020 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Have the computer scanned for code/s-you have a problem within the engine management system that caused the CEL to turn on-This is your starting point of diagnosis, finding out what's going on.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 1st, 2020 AT 1:18 PM (Merged)
Tiny
333MIKE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 MERCURY SABLE
Electrical problem
2002 Mercury Sable 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

whenA/C is running batt. Warning light comes on if I turn a/c off light gors off. Batt. Is only 1yr old. It also happens at night when headlights come on
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 1st, 2020 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JGAROFALO
  • MECHANIC
  • 489 POSTS
A weak alternator could be the cause. Have your alternator output checked. The warning light indicates that the system voltage has fallen below a preset limit, and usually means that there is trouble with the charging system.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 1st, 2020 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RANDYSMITH67
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 MERCURY SABLE
  • 210,000 MILES
Driving to work this morning my 2001merc sable. Battery light come on then engine light then abs. Then teach feel l to zero. But car still l running.I went to top l down window and by slow but when go to star car it doesn'tseem sluggish. And stated back but was afraid to drive on into work so left out along road. Any ideas what problem is
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 1st, 2020 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,091 POSTS
The battery light means the battery is not being recharged while you're driving. It will run down in less than an hour. Have the generator and charging system tested.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 1st, 2020 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CAB03
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 MERCURY SABLE
Smells problem
2001 Mercury Sable 6 cyl Automatic 160000 miles

Recently I started smelling a slight burning smell after driving. When I got my oil changed last week I was told that my coolant was a clear color and needed to be drained and replaced because my engine has no protection. This morning my car briefly lost power while driving in heavy rain. The battery light came on, but then the car continued to run. I happened to be turning a slow corner when this happened. I just replaced my battery 2 months ago.

Thank You!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 1st, 2020 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Most likely got water on belt and it slipped on alt pully thus the light.
Have you had to add coolant? Does pass carpet get wet? When was last flush and fill?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 1st, 2020 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CAB03
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have not yet added coolant. I am going to today. I can't remember the last time I did a flush and fill, therefore I plan to do that at the end of this month. I am not aware of the passenger side carpet being wet. My daughter rides on the passenger side on a daily basis.
Thank you for your response. I thought it may have something to do with the rain, because that has never happened before, but I was on the highway going downhill at about 50 mph in seriously heavy rain. We are expected to get 3 inches of rain today.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 1st, 2020 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FJOSEPH011
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 MERCURY SABLE
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 132,000 MILES
What could that mean? Battery warning lights stay on

Is thiis dangerous
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 1st, 2020 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

Check the alternator output as the charge light is indicating a no charge condition, if left unchecked, the battery will go flat.

Mark (mhpautos)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
-1
Sunday, November 1st, 2020 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RODHARPER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 142,000 MILES
My Battery light flickers on & off
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 1st, 2020 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,202 POSTS
Check the tension on the serpentine belt. Make sure the automatic tensioner is working properly. If yes, go to an auto parts store, and have them check the alternator.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 1st, 2020 AT 1:19 PM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Battery Light Content

VIEW MORE