Hello. Today, as I was driving down the road, my Charge indicator light came on the dashboard. Having just replaced the alternator, approx. a month ago, I'm stumped as to what the problem might be. Could it be time for a new battery? Or could my alternator be faulty? The car seemed to be driving normally. Can anybody help please?

Thank you.

Check the connector to it. That will trigger a light.

The light comes on when the line to the alternator is grounded by the regulator. It is likely a pull down resistor on it, so the alternator reg keeps it pulled high to keep the light off. When it can't do that anymore, it will turn the light on. The light also supplies +12v to the alternator to flash the field so the field will turn on and electricity can be generated. So a blown dash light will seem like a bad alternator...

If connector is good, head back, the alternator is likely bad (reg). At least isn't is hard to swap out.

Check the connector to it. That will trigger a light.

The light comes on when the line to the alternator is grounded by the regulator. It is likely a pull down resistor on it, so the alternator reg keeps it pulled high to keep the light off. When it can't do that anymore, it will turn the light on. The light also supplies +12v to the alternator to flash the field so the field will turn on and electricity can be generated. So a blown dash light will seem like a bad alternator...

If connector is good, head back, the alternator is likely bad (reg). At least isn't is hard to swap out.
The bulb is blowed out in mine and it still charges. I took the time to take it all apart to replace it and then the stupid part store didnt have the right bulb. I didnt want the other kind, I wanted the one that goes in it, so I switched it out with another one and it worked. I ended up switching them back so it is still blowed out.

When the light comes on it usually means it isnt charging, but doesnt always come on.

Blaze

Maybe Cadillac "fixed" that. The older cars all stopped charging when the light was out. It would be an easy fix.

Yeah my 58 Buick is like that. LOL

It seems most of my alternator failures have caused the light to come on, except for one in my Chrysler. It didnt, but something was wrong with it and it kept dragging the battery down and klilling it. I think the diodes are something. However, a new one fixed it right up.

Blaze