Battery Warning Light on Landcruiser

dp639

Hi,
We've a 03 Landcruiser and the battery light came on yesterday whilst driving and has stayed on.

- could it be the alternator gone?
- could it be a bad battery, its still starting and the lights are bright etc, so maybe the 2nd battery is fine (why is there 2 batteries to start with).
- Is there anything I can try myself without going to a garage, what should the batteries read charge wise?
- Apart from possibly getting stranded somewhere, is it safe to drive with this light on?
- I noticed the light on the clock dips when I put the headlights on whilst the engine is running - I don't know if this was always the case or not.

Many thanks.

MrFoxman360

Battery light normally points to an alternator problem, ie: the alternator is not charging the battery.

Sometimes on some diesel cars and jeeps, the battery light comes on with the diesel filter light. If both lights are on, check the diesel filter first, might just need to be changed or drained.

Failing that, put a volt meter or multi meter on the battery poles, and check the voltage, a working altenator should charge at about 13.5 - 14.5 volts with the jeep ticking over, and will be about 12 - 12.7 when its switched off. If you dont have a multi meter, open a door so the interior light comes on, then start the jeep, the interior light should get a tiny bit brighter if the altenator is charging the battery.

It is normal for dash lights to get dimmer when the head lights are turned on, it is designed that way for driving at night

Driving with lights on will drain the batteries after a few hours if the altenator is not charging them, starting it multiple times will have the same effect

Battery light does not normally correspond to a bad battery, however if you do need to get them replaced, repalce the pair, one bad battery will eventually ruin a good one.

Bigger diesels have two batterys as they need alot of power to heat the glow plugs and turn the engine to start it, especially when cold. One battery is not able to supply enough amps for the job.

The Landcruiser Amazons, which have a massive 4.2 liter 6 cylinder engine, have to use a 24 volt system for the starter motor, such is the power that is required to start them :eek:

dp639

Thanks for that, and are the batteries the usual 12V?

I'll check the voltage and take it from there - cheers!

MrFoxman360

dp639 wrote: »

are the batteries the usual 12V?

Yep

Fishtits

are the batteries the usual 12V?

Just curious, what would the alternative be?

OP, yer alternater's bushed. Get it repaired.

MrFoxman360

Fishtits wrote: »

Just curious, what would the alternative be?

automotive batterys are either 6v or 12v, ain't no other. 6 volt went out in the 60's, maybe the even the 70's or early 80's behind the iron curtian, mainly cos they were crap! useless cranking power, lighting, and poor life span