Hi,

My battery light came on a few days ago. Since I replaced the alternator a year and a half ago, I am not suspecting that is the problem.

I took the car to Autozone (I know) to see if they had any sort of testing equipment. They came out with a big sledge and connected to my battery.

The machine did some tests both with the engine on and off and while revving, and it concluded that my wiring needed attention from the alternator to the battery.

Basically, the battery is in prime condition, and the alternator seemed good too according to the test equipment. The battery meter on the mid console has gone down from 16 to 12 volts, but does not drop below which suggests the alternator is fine.

So, does anyone have any idea which cable to check considering the circumstances? It is a 1989 2 dr montero with the 4 cylinder engine. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Try cleaning the contacts on the alternator and battery, check the wires between the 2. check the connections at the fuse box(under hood) for the alternator. If a wire is frayed or melted, replace it. If you got a cheap rebuilt alternator, that may be the problem, they don't seem to last as long, though I did get lucky and got a rebuilt Mitsu one from advance auto once for my 2.6 and it still works great even after being water/mud logged numerous times

Get the alt tested by someone else. It is probably bad. I too have had good luck with Advance Auto alts. The one on my truck now has been there for years and still going strong.

Thanks for the replies. My car died today after a slowly dimming drive back from school at 10 pm, the car was basically running on battery so the lights emptied it quickly.I guess that sorts out that the alternator needs replacement, luckily I got AAA today so got a free tow, and the alternator has a limited lifetime warranty so that should be a free replacement. Thanks a bunch for the advice!