no battery light? voltmeter gauge down

[chris862]

Noticed the voltmeter gauge was reading towards the red and yesterday the battery was on its last legs, so renewed the battery, volt gauge up a bit and starts well but today noticed the battery light doesnt come on with ignition, bulb is fine, doesglow with Iignition on and rear screen heater on? Shall I suspect the altenator?

Cheers

[Plug]

yes mate time for a new/ refurb altenator

[therealnovaboy]

Battery light should be on until you start the car. Unless the battery is dead and the light won't come on. Try and start the car to see if the battery has any juice. If it doesn't crank your battery has died. If it's alive Put a voltmeter across the battery terminals and check for around 13.5v. If it's less than that alternator is mince. If it isn't the alternator or batt it's wiring fault.

sounds like a bad earth. Check the heated rear scream has the earth wire connected to the boot. It could be a million things. Check all the earths first.

[chris862]

Thanks guys for the advice! Not long after I posted I found the problem! Was just about to remove the alternator when I saw a small black wire behind it was dangling in midair! Squeezed in a new space connector, fitted it up and hey presto battery light back on with ignition and voltmeter reading more positive again! Mustave been driving a few months like this, was probably the cause of my old battery dying! :)
One to look out for peeps!
Cheers

[Plug]

lucky find mate, If that black wire isnt connected the battery wont charge correct,

Stupid if you ask me as the wire only goes to the clocks. Saved yourself some money there aswell

[chris862]

Well its been almost exactly a month since I thought this was sorted! and today got in the car and noticed the clock was wrong, the battery was completely flat! only used the car two days before, had to get it jump started and when I got home I put the battery on charge and took the alternator off to get tested, all fine, was told to make sure its all earthing properly but seems to be ok? any ideas peeps? has been fine for a month and then suddenly completely flat battery? :confused:
Cheers

[dgbnova#1]

When you say earths fine what have you done to check them?