Discharge warning light on, despite adequate voltage

My 93 Camry has the following problem:

The Battery Discharge Warning Light does not go off after the car is started. The Rear Light Failure Light also remains on (may or may not be related).

My battery voltage is 12.25 with the car off. It increases to 14.2 - 14.5 with the car running, even with lights, a/c turned on.

I could not detect a short circuit between terminal L and ground.

I can't find a defective light bulb.

Any suggestions as to how to diagnose and fix the problem?

Thanks,

Leroy

Reply to
Leroy
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It probably is.

Those voltages indicate your charging system is working well. The function of an alternator is to supply current for all the cars electics plus recharge the battery. If the alternator is down on output capacity, it will show as slowly reducing volts as the battery supplies the shortfall. The aicon clutch does draw about 3-5Amps, but a better test is to switch the lights on hi-beam and turn the blower-fan to hi. Most fans pull upwards of

18Amps on max and the headlights/drivinglights about 16A,.so its not a bad test.

It maybe the output sensing diode bridge which feeds the dash-board light has failed. The light sits between battery and the o/p detetector bridge. If the battery rises above the o/pdet bridge volts, current flows to ground thru the now forward biased diodes.

I would put a small automotive lamp between batt+ and the 'L' connector, start the car, rev to about 1200pm and allow to idle,.. and see if it lights, if it does the alt sensing bridge is knackered, but the charging diodes are OK so you can fix it at your liesure,..if it stays out, then there is a wiring problem,..probably a 'foreign earth' getting onto the lamp line.

Jason

Reply to
Jason James

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