So my alternator light has been coming on intermitently for about a year now. I know I should have taken care of this sooner but I have been dragging my feet. So the light would turn on for a minute or two at a time while driving and then turn off. That was the only symptom. Well yesterday I noticed that the warning light turns on and stays on the entire time. Also the battery has stopped charging. Everything else works fine, while the car is running everything works, lights, electrical system. No dimming or power issues at all. I have done my own work in the past but dont think I could swap out the alternator. Is it possible that this is just the voltage regulator? Is there a simple way to test this? Anyone have any insight into this?

 

If you have done work on your car in the past. I think you can take out the alternator and have it checked. Its right on top, remove the pivot and adjustor bolts take off belt and remove the alternator. Oops forgot to take off the electrical connection.

However because you mentioned that all is ok when running I would think that the alternator is ok. Battery perhaps?
Easier to take out and test? Look for loose connections etc...

 

Yea, I always change my own plugs and wires, and I replaced the driveshaft on an Acura I used to own. I probably could manage this, I don't know why alternator work has always intimidated me. I think I am just nervous about the belt. How do I make sure I have the correct tension on the belt when I put the alternator back?

My reason for thinking it is not the battery is because of that alternator light. Also, if I take one of those portable jump starter packs and leave it hooked up the the battery for a bit the battery will actually hold a bit of charge, enough for 5 or so starts, but once it is exhausted it doesn't charge back up at ALL with the car running, even if I drive around for like a half hour.

Anyway, I did think it was odd that the batt wont charge but the car runs fine and the rest of the electrical system is showing no signs of problems.

 

the belt is fairly easy. before you loosen anything, see how tight the belt is. you can turn it 90 degrees, and feel how hard that is, or you can just push it and see how much slack it has. or even easier you can mark where the adjuster is and just put it back where you found it.

the alternator is really simple, its 2 electrical connectors (unplug the battery first!), and 3 bolts

 

Ok, this definitely seems like something I can do. I don't know why I didn't think to mark the adjuster. Thanks for the tips!

 

Have the battery load tested and check the output of the charging system; should be 14.4 volts @ idle.