Hey, I first want to say that I love this site! You guys have saved me thousands of dollars. I can usually find the answer to all my Crossfire questions, but I seem to be having a unique problem this time. I have an 04 coupe (killer car!)
Here goes: I pulled into work yesterday and the battery light came on. When I got off work I had to get a jump. Went to the autopart store and had the battery tested. They said it was ok. Had them test the alternator, again, ok. They checked to see if it was throwing any codes and he said it wasnt thowing a code, it was throwing every code. When I give it gas, the battery light comes on. The windows work sometimes, the a/c works sometimes, the fin on the back works sometimes and the dash lights take turns lighting up. The check engine light came on for a minute then went back off. When I got home the battery was sizzling. I was sure it was the alternator. Any ideas?

 

My first thought is the battery even though it tested good. Intermittant problems can occur with a battery. If it is orginal, get it replaced first.

James

After more thought, you need to have a voltmeter hooked to the battery when you suspect the problem is happening. Chances are greater that the battery is defective rather than the alternator. But if you run it this way long enough, you could burn out the alternator as well due to the overload caused by a shorted battery.

Also, be sure to wear safety glasses when working around any battery, especially one that could have an internal short. Been there done that, not fun.

 

tried a new battery a little while ago. ran it for a few minutes and that battery started sizzling too and the battery light still came on.

 

What is the charging voltage? "Sizzling" is a bit too vague...should be 14-14.5 volts.

 

AGAIN AGAIN AGAIN, GO TO WALMART AND GET THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER PLUG IN VOLTMETER. About $20.....................

You can monitor the voltage while driving the car, while and when you need to monitor the voltage, during operation over the rev range. Woody

 

voltage regulator in the alternator probably isn't working properly...or there is a dead short somewhere...