Hi, I have a 2013 Toyota Corolla S manual transmission. Yesterday, the battery died and I replaced it, now it starts just fine (original post here https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/17ul2hn/vehicle_stability_light_came_on_car_died/). However, the battery warning light came on. Wondering if there is a larger issue here since my last two Costco batteries have died within 6-12 months or I’ve simply not pushed down the connector to the ground terminal far enough (having trouble getting it down more). Pictures below. Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks!
If the battery light is on when the engine is running then most likely your alternator is not working. Start there. Check that the belt is still intact and if it is then start further investigation at the alternator.
Thanks will take a look, hoping it’s not this.
You were correct, it was the alternator.
Your battery install looks fine. Need some diagnostic info:
- What voltage are you reading at the battery terminals with the engine running?
- What voltage are you reading at the battery terminals with the engine running, the high-beams on, the rear defroster on, and the A/C running full blast?
Need to get a multimeter then will get back to you on this, appreciate it.
can you twist those terminals? They dont look clean and tight to me.
Check the voltage with a cheap meter, do this with engine off, then do it with engine running, there should a jump in voltage meaning the alternator if charging.
You mean the connectors that twist on? Yeah they’re very tight, I just went down and pushed the negative connector down even more and had to really apply a lot of pressure.