battery light on when accelerating
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: VA
battery light on when accelerating
After the recent snow storm with almost 2ft cover my 1998 SC300, it wouldn't start. I jumped the battery but the car died 1/2 hr later. So i replaced the battery. No light coming on when idle but when i start pushing the gas pedal, the battery light comes on. If I floor it, the light is flickering. It is off when the car is back to idle. The ABS light comes on intermittently. Could it be the alt going bad? Thanks in advance for your help.
I had this problem too... and yes, it was the alternator. My alt crapped out because PS fluid soaked it though, so I knew it was coming. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the battery light coming on is ONLY battery or alternator.
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 343
Likes: 1
From: Florida
So go with that if you think it's power steering fluid.
Last edited by MarcusMIA; Mar 5, 2010 at 07:53 PM.
wow that is miraculous. wish i would've known that before i replaced mine. oh well!
Maybe it's your crank pulley separating. It will eventually get worse and eventually overheat and all that from separating completely... check it out. At idle, it spins slow enough to be able to catch/spin the alternator. This happened to me last year... just a thought.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: VA
Thanks for all the replies. But my alt was completely dry so i don't think PS fluid is the culprit. The crank pulley makes sense. I'll check it out.
CP_Ree, did you experience anything else beside the batt light coming on?
CP_Ree, did you experience anything else beside the batt light coming on?
Last edited by lbq; Mar 1, 2010 at 06:13 PM.
Trending Topics
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
While you're checking pulleys you might as well take a look at your tensioner pulley. I had an issue with my seizing up yesterday. The bearings were shot causing the pulley dramatically slow down the belt system until the car would eventually die at idle. I had to replace the entire assembly in order to correct the problem because the replacement pulley from Autozone would not work with the stock tensioner arm. Pop your belt off and make sure its spinning freely and not seized up. Just a thought. Good luck.
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 537
Likes: 2
From: MD
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 537
Likes: 2
From: MD
I was kind of wondering the same thing, I want to go aftermarket most likely when I replace my alternator too. I was looking around online and there are some alternators for like $200 shipped that have 200 volts/amps or whatever. I wonder if that is enough juice/power for my SC, I don't have many mods for electronics in my car, but I would like to get it all running strong electronically because the rest of the car runs great. It's just when it comes to electronics in my car, that is it's weakness. I don't know too much about alternators or batteries but I know my battery I have right now is a 650 cranking amps and 540 cold cranking amps. Any help is good.
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Burke, VA
you clean it out with brake fliud or brake kleener?