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[PAULCDX]

Hi,

Driving home in the pouring rain the the other evening with headlights on and heating on quite full, I noticed a very faint red battery light on the dash 

When I turned the heating / climate off the faint light went out, turned it on and it came back on very faintly?

Only noticed it when it was dark in the car and all things switched on all at once.....

Is this related in anyway to my temp needle issue or have I now possibly got an issue with the alternator / drive belt? 

Thanks for any help, 

[zirk]

If your Battery has been a bit hammered, you could get this before it fully gets re charged, just keep an eye on it Paul.

[PAULCDX]

The battery is a genuine GM one and was fitted in 2012 by the previous owner so I hope it wouldn't be that so I'm hoping to rule that out 

Like you say it could be that I had everything on all at once. 

I'm sure I've read somewhere it could be alternator packing up or the drive belt starting to slip, I'll keep and eye out and see if the light comes back on 

[dbug]

The battery is a genuine GM one and was fitted in 2012 by the previous owner so I hope it wouldn't be that so I'm hoping to rule that out 

Like you say it could be that I had everything on all at once. 

I'm sure I've read somewhere it could be alternator packing up or the drive belt starting to slip, I'll keep and eye out and see if the light comes back on 

Probable, very unlikely

[chrisgixer]

Pffff... Have I got to agree within dbug again? 

It won't be the belt. Charging issue, could be alternator or battery. See Kevs battery guide with a meter.

[Shallow Al]

Mine did this too a year or two back.
Before going for a new alternator, check the positive terminal connection on the battery, and feel if it is getting hot.
The main cable feeding from across the front of the engine and its connection with the positive terminal, can commonly go bad.
It is a large crimped joint into the battery terminal, if it gets hot when the engine is running and you have lots turned on, it is bad.
My symptoms were the same as yours.
You only notice the warning at night and with lots turned on.
I would have gone for the alternator straight away, this site put me right.
Could well be the alternator, but worth a quick check.
HTH.

[cnj]

another thing to check is the earth straps, make sure they're both clean and making good contact.

[Andy B]

...
The main cable feeding from across the front of the engine and its connection with the positive terminal, can commonly go bad.
It is a large crimped joint into the battery terminal, if it gets hot when the engine is running and you have lots turned on, it is bad.
 ....

My charge light used to faintly glow too.
I borrowed a large terminal crimp tool from work & managed to tighten the crimp on mine. It fixed it. 

[PAULCDX]

Thanks for the replies guy's

I'll have a look into your suggestions, Cheers 

Feel it can't be a battery issue as it's pretty new so I need to look at the other things etc 

[PAULCDX]

Just an update on this,

This morning whilst driving in the dark with headlights on, heating on and wipers going all was fine. As soon as I put on the rear screen demister the battery light came on very faintly. Turned it off the light went out..........

Got to work, switched off headlights, wipers and heating and then put rear screen on again to check and again the faint battery light came back on............. So it seems it only comeson when rear screen demister is turned on? 

Any ideas ?

Thanks, 

Paul

[Broomies Mate]

Rear demister demands quite a high current.

Do simple checks with a meter before guessing.

[PAULCDX]

Thanks, I've got no tools or a multimeter so I'll take it somewhere and get the battery and connections checked out. The battery is a year old and a GM one so hopefully it isn't that. 

[omegod]

Thanks, I've got no tools or a multimeter so I'll take it somewhere and get the battery and connections checked out. The battery is a year old and a GM one so hopefully it isn't that. 

If you have the receipt with the history you may still be in the warranty period!

[Broomies Mate]

Even the likes of Halfords will do a free test - Let them do it and when they say you need new shock-absorbers, brake discs and air freshner, tell them you'll pop back later.   

[PAULCDX]