why is my battery light staying on ?

2006 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER
89,000 MILES
Avatar
KINGEARNEST
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
On my 06 trailblazer never have any starting troubles even when key is out it is slightly illuminated. battery light stays lightly illuminated at all times. started vehicle took off negative it didn't die. shows good voltage in vehicle when running. never has any sluggish starting problems. someone says it could be key switch but when you take key out everything goes off like radio the windows wont roll down so key switch is fine. someone says it is a battery heat sensor. any ideas.
Mar 22, 2012 at 1:04 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
SATURNTECH9
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 30,869 POSTS
First of all never remove the battery cable while its running or with the key on in a vehicle with a computer.You can damage the computer.Have you had the battery alternator tested?If not you need to do that first.Also have you made sure the battery cables are clean and tight.Do you have a multi meter to do some testing?

Read the guide below

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator
Mar 22, 2012 at 1:11 AM
Avatar
KINGEARNEST
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
thanks for the fast response. no i havent had the alternator tested yet . does it have to come off to be tested or can advanced auto test it while on the vehicle? yeah i cleaned the post connecting to the battery. no i dont have a meter but i will buy one what do you recommend. can the alternator cause that light to be on even though its charging. i remember the older cars as long as you could take the terminal off while running that would show you the alternator was charging. all help and suggestions will be greatly appreciated. thanks David
Mar 22, 2012 at 10:18 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
SATURNTECH9
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 30,869 POSTS
As far as a meter goes just get one that has a 20 volt dc setting and a ohms setting.You can have the alternator tested in the vechile which i would do also have the battery tested.Lets see how those two test and and go from there.
Mar 23, 2012 at 4:18 AM
Avatar
KINGEARNEST
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
all checked out good at advanced auto, battery and alternator. they had me to start vehicle rev it up and turn on ac and high bems everything was good. i am thinking about putting black tape over the light. seems to have no effect on vehicle so any more suggestions.
Mar 23, 2012 at 10:26 PM
Avatar
SATURNTECH9
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 30,869 POSTS
It says if its charging like its supposed to then use a scan tool and see if the voltage on the scan tool reads 10-15 volts if its does then replace the IPC.The instrument panel control module.
Mar 23, 2012 at 11:10 PM
Avatar
KINGEARNEST
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
is the IPC something i can change or is it a dealer install. can this be purchased at advanced or is it a dealer item. thanks
Mar 24, 2012 at 12:12 AM
Avatar
SATURNTECH9
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 30,869 POSTS
Most of the ipcs are part of the clusters and sometimes require programing from the dealer. I have most work though.
Mar 24, 2012 at 12:54 AM
Avatar
KINGEARNEST
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
would you think the speedometer cluster is going bad. drspeedometer shows they can fix it for $189 what do you suggest?
Mar 28, 2012 at 1:24 AM
Avatar
SATURNTECH9
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 30,869 POSTS
Did you use a scantool to see what the ecm says its charging at?
Mar 28, 2012 at 1:27 AM
Avatar
KINGEARNEST
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
just replaced the speedometer cluster and the problem is solved the light is off. real easy trade out watching the video on youtube will explain it all on the removal. takes 20-30minutes to remove.you will need to go to dealer to get the milage corrected. thanks for the help.
Apr 27, 2012 at 11:39 PM
Avatar
SATURNTECH9
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 30,869 POSTS
Your welcome glad to hear you got it fixed.
Apr 28, 2012 at 2:56 AM
Avatar
DAN2374
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
My battery light is dimmly lit when the vehicle is turned off. When engine is started light turns off and on. Voltage gauge read a little over 14 volts. I replace battery since it was 5 1/2 years old. Did not solve problem. I did disconnect the battery with engine running, engine quit after about 10 seconds.
Dec 25, 2018 at 10:08 AM (Merged)
Avatar
HMAC300
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 48,601 POSTS
First off, you shouldn't disconnect the battery with the engine running, computer controlled cars don't like that.have your alternator checked it may have a short in the diode bridge or voltage regulator. Also check all your body/engine / dash grounds.

Read the guide below, it will help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator
Dec 25, 2018 at 10:08 AM (Merged)
Avatar
BARNELLOL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
When i drive the light is dimmly lit and fades in and out. my battery gauge reads 14, which is right in the middle. When I shut the car off the battery light is still dimmly lit. What could be the issue? I am not experienceing any loss of power or anything else.
Dec 25, 2018 at 10:08 AM (Merged)
Avatar
RASMATAZ
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 75,992 POSTS
Could be the powertrain control module controlled circuit of the field generation of the alternator
Dec 25, 2018 at 10:08 AM (Merged)
Avatar
VAGOLDEN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
My battery light is very faintly lit off and on. even when car is turned off.
Dec 25, 2018 at 10:08 AM (Merged)
Avatar
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 16,542 POSTS
You need to have your charging system inspected. Battery, alternator, terminals and cables all need to be tested and / or inspected. Most part stores will test batteries and alternators free of charge.
Dec 25, 2018 at 10:08 AM (Merged)
Avatar
FDAIGNEAU
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The alt light glows dim all the time. Key on eng. on, key off eng off does not matter. Alt and battery were replaced in last 3k miles. Charging system seems to be working fine. Any idea whats wrong and what to fix.
Dec 25, 2018 at 10:08 AM (Merged)
Avatar
ASEMASTER6371
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 52,796 POSTS
check all the connections. if they are ok, you have a bad diode in the alternator. return to the shop and have it replaced under warranty

Roy
Dec 25, 2018 at 10:08 AM (Merged)
Avatar
FDAIGNEAU
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
thanks Roy i sure appreciate the help
Dec 25, 2018 at 10:08 AM (Merged)