Indash battery light goes on and off randomly. Please HELP!

[Bad_dude]

I have a 1990 Accord LX Automatic. The car has 146K miles on it. About 2 days ago, my battery light goes on for a second or 2 then it goes off. I took the car to Kragen and they tested both the battery and alternator and both were good. We did found out that the car needed 550CCA and the battery was only 530CCA. The battery is about 3 years old and it's an Interstate green battery.
Tonight while driving home from work the battery goes on and off again but once it did stayed on for about a full minute then it goes off then that is it.

If the battery and the alternator is good then what could it be? Please help. I am afraid it would be some thing else.
I never had trouble with starting or any electrical equipment in the car. Also while the battery light was on, my headlights stay on strong and not fading like a weak battery or any thing.
I did recently put in 2 amps for my car. One is about 180W and the other 70W bridged.
When the battery light goes on, I turned off the stereo but the light still stay on.
I don't know what it could be. Some one at Kragen said it could be a sensor, but which sensor could it be?

Thanks.

[Monza]

If your headlights are brighter while your battery light is on I would have to say its probally the voltage regulator in your Alt starting to go, over charging.

The brushes in your Alt could also start to be sticking, if you test your Alt while the battery light is off it will pass the test.

If it's either one of those the light will start to stay on longer and longer.

[pedalpusher90]

Hears how i found out my alt was bad i was driving down a highway one night and the light came on. By the time i went to a road with a stop light i noticed every thing dimmed in close relation to my rpms dropping. When i would start up everything became bright. This is not good because your alternator is pumping to much voltage to your car and can fry your electronics and batt. When the car is parked and cooled off test the voltage it should be between 11v and 12v. Start the car and check the voltage again it should be around 12-14v. Now rev the motor to about 2500. If you get a reading higher than 14v stop the car and replace your alternator.

[Bad_dude]

The alternator was also tested and it was around 14V. The head lights at night seems to be bright as usual but not brighter than normal.
So with a lower crank amp would mean the battery is smaller than should be, could this cause it? But it has not been the problem for a while.
Could installing my my new amps have cause this? But my car was off when doing the installation and power cable disconnected.
I don't think there would be a sensor to cause this light to come on right?
Should I be better off going with a used Honda brand Alternator or a new after market?

Thanks.

[Bad_dude]

If your headlights are brighter while your battery light is on I would have to say its probally the voltage regulator in your Alt starting to go, over charging.

The brushes in your Alt could also start to be sticking, if you test your Alt while the battery light is off it will pass the test.

If it's either one of those the light will start to stay on longer and longer.

If the brush is sticking, how could I fix this?
What does it means if those light staying on longer and longer? Bad Alternator?

[Daheavyking]

Thats an alternator my friend. Ive been there and done that and got the T-shirt. Replace it before you get stranded somewhere far from home

[alan lx]

My car is having a similar issue. Its been going on for a while. It always starts and runs fine. From everyone i have talked to its the alternator starting to go. I am waiting for it either go out completely or warmer weather.

[Monza]

If the brush is sticking, how could I fix this?
What does it means if those light staying on longer and longer? Bad Alternator?

You could rebuild it, but Alts really are not that expensive and when it finally gives up you'll be stuck.

When the light stays on and won't go off means the Alt is not working anymore.



Wow that's a bad picture, if you click on it you can see the inner workings of the Alt.

[Theos92VR4]

Its your alternator like everyone else said. Mine started doing the same thing on my old '90 civic, and about a week later it went out and I had to get towed. I would replace it before it fails so you are not stranded. I think I payed around $45 for a reman.

[Bad_dude]

Would it be ok for me to drive the car today and get it fix next week since I don't have any day off again this week?
I really want to get a used Honda's brand.
Any video or pics for the alternator replacement? DIY?
Thanks.

[Bad_dude]

Ok, I took the car to Autozone and as soon as they put the probes on the analyzer said if was bad battery, tested the alternator and the diode and everything is good.
So I went to costco to buy a Kirkland battery for $70 with 8 year warranty and 3 year replacement.
Put the battery in and the light is staying on constant now.
I then took it to another Autozone and every thing checked out find including the new battery.
Could the battery have been sitting on the shelf life too long trigger the battery light on? Every time I rev up the engine, the light goes off.
Could I have a short or loose wiring some where? Which wire could be loose and where would the short most likely be?
Or do you guys still think it's the alternator?

Thanks.

[wed3k]

i think i actually purchsed a brush off a member for less than 20 bucks. mine was doing the same thing and i just replaced the alternator and car has been awesome.

[Bad_dude]

i think i actually purchsed a brush off a member for less than 20 bucks. mine was doing the same thing and i just replaced the alternator and car has been awesome.

Was your alternator producing all the good voltages when this happens?
Did you buy a used OEM or after market or did you put a new brush in? Was it hard to put the new brush in?
Thanks.

[Bad_dude]

What is the range of voltages for a good alternator?
Thanks.

[Monza]

A working Alt will be putting out between 14.40 - 14.70 volts and about 65 amps or so.