JWebb Posted May 22, 2015 Report Share Posted May 22, 2015 So I was driving my 2010 Dodge Journey when the battery light came on, then all the lights on the dash came on, lost all power while driving. Replaced the battery and now the still comes on. Tried a YouTube video trick to see what code comes up, nothing shows it just states done. Does this sound like the alternator is done? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhh3 Posted May 22, 2015 Report Share Posted May 22, 2015 Possible TIPM? Look for corrosion around the terminals. Can you read your new battery's voltage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lobitz68 Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 I would check the voltage with the vehicle running... Should be a little north of 14V if the alternator is functioning properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bfurth Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Buy a multimeter (if you don't already have one). Set it to the 20V range. Attach positive leed to positive jump terminal (no need to get back to the battery just yet) and negative leed to negative terminal. Read the voltage - a good battery will be in the 12.5V neighborhood with the vehicle off. Get someone else to start the vehicle. Read the voltage again with NO electrical load (all accessories and lights turned off) - it should read in the 14-14.5V range. Have your assistant turn on the headlights - you should notice an immediate 1-1.5V drop, and then it should come right back up. If the battery voltage is too low to begin with (and you just replaced it), there is a good chance it's the alternator. Also, the "battery" warning light is not a battery warning light. It's "charging system" (read: alternator) warning light that happens to be shaped like a battery. I have a 2010 T&C that had a P0562 (system under voltage) engine code when the battery died (5+ year old battery in the middle of single digit Fahrenheit weather, I'm not surprised it gave up). The only light that came on for the battery was the MIL (check engine). jkeaton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkeaton Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Buy a multimeter (if you don't already have one). Set it to the 20V range. Attach positive leed to positive jump terminal (no need to get back to the battery just yet) and negative leed to negative terminal. Read the voltage - a good battery will be in the 12.5V neighborhood with the vehicle off. Get someone else to start the vehicle. Read the voltage again with NO electrical load (all accessories and lights turned off) - it should read in the 14-14.5V range. Have your assistant turn on the headlights - you should notice an immediate 1-1.5V drop, and then it should come right back up. If the battery voltage is too low to begin with (and you just replaced it), there is a good chance it's the alternator. Also, the "battery" warning light is not a battery warning light. It's "charging system" (read: alternator) warning light that happens to be shaped like a battery. I have a 2010 T&C that had a P0562 (system under voltage) engine code when the battery died (5+ year old battery in the middle of single digit Fahrenheit weather, I'm not surprised it gave up). The only light that came on for the battery was the MIL (check engine). This ^^ Do some simple troubleshooting before just buying new parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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