Warning lights stay on after battery replaced

Warning lights stay on after battery replaced - 94 SL2

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w.gary.strand@gmail.com - 21 Mar 2007 02:30 GMT

I have a 1994 SL2 and just replaced the battery - only the 3rd one
I've had in the car.

However, the battery and "auto-lock" lights in the dash are on all the
time. Is there some easy way to reset the diagnostics system to get
rid of them? Or do I have a more serious electrical problem?

TIA.

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James1549 - 21 Mar 2007 03:07 GMT

Is the alternator properly charging? Using a volt meter, check the
voltage at the battery while the car is running. Voltage should be
13.8 -14.0 with a known good, charged battery.

James

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w.gary.strand@gmail.com - 21 Mar 2007 14:23 GMT

> Is the alternator properly charging? Using a volt meter, check the
> voltage at the battery while the car is running. Voltage should be
> 13.8 -14.0 with a known good, charged battery.

I got an 11.0 from a cold battery - which implies that the charging
system either isn't working right, or I got something of a dud battery
from Costco.

Thanks.

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G-Man - 21 Mar 2007 15:45 GMT

I think it's probably the alternator - coming to work, the car started
making this clock-like sound coming from the area near the base of the
steering column (very regular, like a watch ticking, but only in gear,
I think) and also, when I turned the car off, a rapid grr-grr-grr
sound from what sounded like the passive seatbelt motor. Wonderful.

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Steve B. - 22 Mar 2007 03:57 GMT

>I think it's probably the alternator - coming to work, the car started
>making this clock-like sound coming from the area near the base of the
>steering column (very regular, like a watch ticking, but only in gear,
>I think) and also, when I turned the car off, a rapid grr-grr-grr
>sound from what sounded like the passive seatbelt motor. Wonderful.

What did u expect it to do? You are driving the car with a known
charging problem. The battery will go dead. The electronics will do
nutty things when they don't have the power they need to operate.

Steve B.

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Steve B. - 21 Mar 2007 03:33 GMT

>I have a 1994 SL2 and just replaced the battery - only the 3rd one
>I've had in the car.
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
>TIA.

The battery light does not mean the battery is bad, it means the
charging circuit is not working properly. It is common for the
alternator to fail and no longer be able to charge the battery but it
could be a host of other things as well. Don't drive the car much
with the light on... the battery is going to go dead and the car is
going to stop when that happens.

Many parts stores are able to test the charging system for you at no
charge and let you know what is going on. If there is one close to
you then consider going and letting them see if the alternator is
working.

Steve B.

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