Battery Light On

[treed]

My daughter has a 2001 PT Cruiser. Yesterday as she was going home from the dentist the blower fan on the ac slowed down and then the battery light came on. It stay on until she got home (about 15 miles). She turned off the car and it restarted and the battery light came on again. Could this be the alternator? And how easy is it to replaced one on a PT Cruiser?

[Hooligan]

Welcome treed, to the Forum.

Take the PT to a auto parts store and have them check the output of the alternator to see if that is the trouble. It also could be the battery especially if it is original. Maybe it is only the battery, it is easier to change. Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

[slartyblarfast]

More than likely the alternator is out. Could also be a PCM. The PCM controls the alternator output. More than likely though it's the alternator. Don't see it very often though.

[bobs turbo pt]

i agree with hooligan, take it to an auto parts store than can tell you wahat it is rather than spending money that you dont have to , good luck and let us know what is the problem

[treed]

Thanks, guys. I hope I make it to the auto parts store - it's over 8 miles to town. But, I agree, that's a good plan. I noticed the alternator is kind of pricey and it looks like it's not easy to get to. I was going last evening, but with it raining I didn't want to drive it and have too many accessories going that will drain the battery. I think I can make it there if I don't run wipers, lights, etc.

Thanks, again, for the advice and suggestions. It's appreciated.

[wazzzzman]

You can get a device from Harbor Tools that you plug into any cigarette type socket. It will test in general terms how your alternator is working. Just do a search on the internet for Harbor Tools and search their site for 12 volt Battery Alternator Tester Item 92571. You can probably find like devices in other stores, but I have used this simple and cheap tool to point me to these types of problems and then go from there. This little tool I am quite sure is less than $10 and could save you a trip to the dealer. Just keep it in your tool box. I have other sophisticated devices to go from there, but most of the time this device is correct.

[treed]

Is this the tool you're referring to?

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

It looks like it can test either the alternator or the battery. How accurate is this tester?

BTW, thanks for pointing this tool out to me.

[wazzzzman]

That is the one. It works for me but read the little manual that comes with it. Well worth the money, but does not take the place of a $300 VOM.

[treed]

Well, it's fixed. I didn't really have a chance to look at it until today. I was prepared for the worst, downloaded the manual from this site, read all the posts I could on changing alternators on this car. So this morning I thought I check to see how easy it was to get to the top alternator bolt. And there was the pulley grooves staring up at me, all shiny. Hmm, no belt.

So, a trip to the auto parts store, and a little while later it's fixed. Not too bad at all, but I'm glad I didn't have to change the alternator - it's pretty pricey and it would be a pain to remove and reinstall.