I have been having this problem with the volt light in my 86 SE.

The other day Melanie drove it to pick Amanda up at school and the volt light came on. It was low on the gauge, meter, but when she drove off the meter went up and the volt light stayed on.

Now I brought it in to Wally World to have their NeverStart battery tested in the car, and the charging system checked.

Everything tested out fine.

So not trusting them I took the battery to VIP to have it tested again.

Again the battery is fine at 90%

Now the dam light is still on, after charging the battery, cleaning all electrical connections, + & - , even put an extra ground in from the engine to the battery -.

Only thing I haven’t cleaned is the alternator connections, do that today.

Thing is I know I will eventually find out what the problem is, I just really want to know,

What exactly does the voltage light being lit supposed to mean?

Sorry for my ignorance but this is just plain annoying. I mean the voltage gauge is saying everything is working as it should be, when it should go up after start up it does.

When I put the turn signal on it bounces like everybody else’s.


So can anybody answer my question?

WTF does the stupid &*#@*% light mean when it comes on?

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Technology is great when it works,
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

bring it autozone or advanced and ask them to test the alternator, it done on the car and is free

Wally World did that when I took it in with the battery in it.

They said the charging system is fine, alternator working fine, not overcharging, not undercharging.

If the light is on dim, you have a diode out in the diode trio. It will still charge, just not quite as well.

quote Originally posted by Electrathon: If the light is on dim, you have a diode out in the diode trio. It will still charge, just not quite as well.

Light is as bright as it is just before turning key to start.

To answer your question,the light is an indication that your haveing voltage problems probubley with your alternater.I agree with 'Electrathon',you probubley have a bad diode.It's allso normal for for the gage to have slight fluctuations,such as the turn signals.You may have a loose alternater belt (or missing-broken belt).Other indications of a bad alternater are,the gage reading way low,or the gage reading way high, or the gage reving up and down with the engine rpm's.sometimes you'll get a high pitched whine or static over the radio.Your voltage gage should read half way or slightly above half way.A side problem-Possibly with the headlight motors,if they are worn and your haveing a major power draw,try disconnecting the single power wire to the right and left electric motor and see if that fixes the problem.

[This message has been edited by James Bond 007 (edited 04-22-2008).]

When the engine is running above idle: What voltage does the voltage gauge in the car show? What is the voltage at the battery terminals when measured with an accurate voltmeter? Is the alternator light bright or dim?

In the earlier Fieros (prior to the CS alternator) the alternator light had a diode in series with it. This diode was there to prevent the alternator light from glowing dimly when the alternator was charging normally.

quote Originally posted by Marvin McInnis: When the engine is running above idle: What voltage does the voltage gauge in the car show? What is the voltage at the battery terminals when measured with an accurate voltmeter? Is the alternator light bright or dim? In the earlier Fieros (prior to the CS alternator) the alternator light had a diode in series with it. This diode was there to prevent the alternator light from glowing dimly when the alternator was charging normally.

The light is bright.

Right now after a drive , 3 min. 15 volts

When I took the drive this morning, 14 v

Wife’s headed to visit mom in Worcester today, taking the Burb.

So I am going to wait until she gets back tomorrow and pull the alt. and have it tested alone.

Thanks for the ideas will keep posted.

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Technology is great when it works,
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

The alternator is bad or the light wiring has a short in it. That's about the only things that will make it turn on.

Most decent Alternator testers should indicate if there is a blown diode in the system.

The alternator on rare occasions can have a failure in the regulator that keeps the light on even tho the rest of it is functioning OK at the time. It could also be a short on the wire.

Check the wiring very carefully around the engine. Also try unplugging the control plug from the side of the alternator. If it only goes out with the control plug removed, then the alternator has some kind of problem even tho it is still charging right now.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top of every forum page...)

Well I finally got the alternator tested and it was shot. something about low voltage test.

She’s fine now.

Thanks all for your ideas and help.

Steve