JDMToyotas

Used the car last night parked it everything was fine. Came out to the car this morning started it now there's a steady battery sign on the dash. What does this mean? I only drive the car on weekends and I just got it few months ago.

<a href="http://s89.photobucket.com/user/Toyota4life/media/150BA77C-DDE5-407B-A229-91CEE0B4C8B2_zpsnmgdn9da.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k215/Toyota4life/150BA77C-DDE5-407B-A229-91CEE0B4C8B2_zpsnmgdn9da.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 150BA77C-DDE5-407B-A229-91CEE0B4C8B2_zpsnmgdn9da.jpg"/></a>

JDMToyotas

I disconnected the negative terminal on the battery and the car didn't shut off it stayed running.

Does the battery light come on in this car when the battery is low?

whitebeast

iTrader: (5)

Your battery is low. Have it check as your local auto parts store. Really sure you gonna need new battery

JDMToyotas

I think the battery is low also.

I brought a tester and ran two test.


This is at idle

<a href="http://s89.photobucket.com/user/Toyota4life/media/B3F39A25-07A4-454B-A843-199FB6BB184F_zpsbedacn6u.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k215/Toyota4life/B3F39A25-07A4-454B-A843-199FB6BB184F_zpsbedacn6u.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo B3F39A25-07A4-454B-A843-199FB6BB184F_zpsbedacn6u.jpg"/></a>


This is at idle with headlights and AC on.

<a href="http://s89.photobucket.com/user/Toyota4life/media/85C9DABA-107D-44D5-8194-470F12FAF682_zps8umxjzh8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k215/Toyota4life/85C9DABA-107D-44D5-8194-470F12FAF682_zps8umxjzh8.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 85C9DABA-107D-44D5-8194-470F12FAF682_zps8umxjzh8.jpg"/></a>

JDMToyotas

Okay so now my battery light on my dash went away.

I think because I don't drive the car during the week the battery for a lil weak from sitting. I don't have a battery light now. But at least I kno I'm gonna need a battery at some point

JDMToyotas

Battery light is back on after I turned the AC and lights on at idle.

This is what it's reading now with AC headlights and radio on. Think it's safe to say the alternator is weak.

<a href="http://s89.photobucket.com/user/Toyota4life/media/EEE40868-6727-4FF3-B191-FB4AAEA34C6B_zpshnytfrfy.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k215/Toyota4life/EEE40868-6727-4FF3-B191-FB4AAEA34C6B_zpshnytfrfy.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo EEE40868-6727-4FF3-B191-FB4AAEA34C6B_zpshnytfrfy.jpg"/></a>

Bichon

You may want to stop by Autozone and have them test both the battery and the alternator, which they'll do for free. A proper tester puts the battery under load, which is entirely different than just attaching a multimeter and reading the voltage. Also, the dash icon that looks like a battery is the charging system warning light, and is usually associated with a bad alternator, not a bad battery.

JDMToyotas

I understand what u mean but my testing with the volt meter has never failed and has always been correct.

I'm getting below 12 reading at idle with loads on (AC headlights and radio on). That shows the alternator is weak.

ISFWes

How long has it been since you changed the battery? On my RX I started getting all kinds of faults that would clear. Then the clock started reseting. Battery tested ok. Changed it out and no more problems.

kickin8

iTrader: (1)

check the alternator.....

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

Invest in a Battery Tender trickle charger.

swfla

iTrader: (1)

It may seem to be correct but that's not the correct way to test a battery. Just do a google search "testing a car battery" and you'll have learned something new today. Not trying to be rude, just want to help you. That's also a very expensive/good battery and will last longer than a standard battery. Hate to see you replace it if it's still good. As mentioned above, go to an auto parts store like Advance, Pepboys. They'll roll a cart out to your car, load test your battery and check your alternator for free. Just make sure the battery has a full charge on it if you have a battery charger for best test results. Good luck.

Sffd103

iTrader: (16)

try cleaning some of the corrosion from the terminal/cable area also. The battery only helps start the car. It will keep running without a battery. FYI

AlexiaMom

Battery light comes on when your alternator is going bad