First popped up on a drive from El Monte, CA to Cabazon about 80 miles to pick up my nephew. About about a little more than two thirds of the way there my battery light went on, first time its done so in the 4 years Ive owned the car. Well i was able get there and back in to Los Angeles, before the car finally died. My cousin was able to bring me a brand new battery. Car started right up, not long after driving it the battery light popped up one more. This time the car started to idle a little funny, as if hunting for it during stops. Once i got close to my house the light went off and its been fine since but the light comes on occasionaly. Could it be the alternator, i know the battery cables have got to be replaced because they dont look so great. If its the alternator how difficult to replace?

 

What car are we talking about here? These are symptoms of the charging system going. I would originally say check your fuses, especially the one for the ELD. But since it went away, I wouldn't necessarily suspect a fuse. Check those anyway but do some tests around the battery and alternator. Make sure all sensors and plugs are tight, grounds are cleans and tight.

 

89 civic si

 

The battery light is really a charging system light. When the light comes on, 95% of the time the issue is the alternator is bad. You can either get a rebuilt Denso unit from rockauto or buy some brushes and rebuild it yourself.

This isn't something you want to buy from an auto parts store. They do a bad job of rebuilding Denso alternators.

 

Yeah cleaned up the posts today, and the light still comes on, well im gonna pass by the local shops to get a quote. Ill probably order some new battery cables aswell.