KiTTyOnRoiDs

2006 Acura TL
My battery light has recently started to come on randomly and drains the charge in my battery. The alternator passed the test at AutoZone and I took it to a generator/alternator shop. He replaced the regulator in it and said everything else was fine in it as he has done some work on it before. When the regulator in the alternator was replaced, my battery light did not come on for a good two whole days. When the light usually comes on its within 30 seconds to 5 minutes of me starting my car, whether I'm driving or just sitting idle, it doesn't matter. Some times I'll have days when the light doesn't come on at all. What I've been doing is getting my battery charged (is this bad for the battery? Will it shorten its lifespan if I get recharged a lot?) at either AutoZone or Walmart until I figure out the problem.

190,000 miles on the car
Battery is brand new, only a month old. I got it after the light started coming on.
Serpentine belt doesn't look worn out nor does it make a noise indicating that it is slipping. (Can serpentine belts even slip?)
No noticeable cables that look damaged from what I can tell
Car temperature gauge on dashboard also does not work until a couple of minutes after the car has been on. (Could this be connected?)

But from what I'm guessing it must be an electrical problem since it varies as to when the battery light comes on. But when I drive it usually does come on more than it doesn't. Does anyone have any insight as to what the problem may be? Has anyone encountered something like this? Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks

SpokaneSpeed

I would have the battery properly tested.. yes it does deplete the life of the battery if the charge is completely drained. This could be caused by a dead cell within the battery. Before doing any electrical diagnostics I would have the battery tested/analyzed.

WanaBeFaster

have you been having a/c problems? and why have the alternator worked on at all if it tested bad?

KiTTyOnRoiDs

Turned out to be my alternator after all. I guess it was just in a dying stage or something. The light started coming on all the time so I took it to an auto store and had it tested while in the car and it was the alt. Went ahead and bought a new one and now everything is good. Had to get a 2nd alternator though because the first one I received was faulty.