CptHMCrunch

Hey guys, a couple days ago I noticed my charging system light faintly coming on while coming to a stop. When I first come to a stop the charging system light will come on faintly. The light will then turn off and stay off. If I press the gas the light will once again faintly glow as the vehicle reaches idle then turn off.

If I put the vehicle in 1st gear and allow the vehicle to drive forward at idle speed, the charging system light will faintly glow. If I put the vehicle in 2nd gear and allow the vehicle to drive forward at idle speed the charging system light will glow strongly.

Two days ago I came out of class and my car was dead. I thought I left the headlights on, but I may have turned them on before I attempted to start the car. I got a jump start from a jeep and the car ran well. The next morning I tried to start my car and got nothing. I tried to jump the car and got nothing. I had no spark. I replaced the ICM (note: I watched the ICM pass the autozone testing) to get spark, pretty sure the jeep fried it.

After replacing ICM and prior to jump starting car I test battery at ~9v.
After jump starting the car I tested between battery terminals for ~15.5v.
After driving the car ~15 minutes I tested between terminals for ~13.2v WITHOUT headlights on. Tested between terminals for ~12.8v with headlights on.

After ~15 minutes driving the highest possible battery voltage I could read was 13.66v while at ~2000 RPM.

Immediately after driving tested battery for ~11.8v

Battery and Alternator were both replaced July 2013. Any ideas? I am going with bad alternator.

RPM_69

Try checking your alternator bracket and bolts. Had a similar issue. It was the lower alternator bolt. The upper one was OK and the tension felt right, but when the car was running I would get a battery light at lower RPMs. Eventually found it and tightened it. I suspect there was just enough wiggle to cause problems.

Tyson

You got a bum rebuild. It happens. A lot.