Battery light won't go away

[Christopher]

I was driving and my battery light popped on so pulled into Oreillys.they tested it and was bad so changed it with new one. Originally I when I first installed I put the power wire on I did the wire then washer then nut. So the guy came out to test battery and alternator and said wasn't working right. So told me to change it and put the wire between washer and nut(is that correct). But when I did it was working pushing 13.4 volts to battery I believe but light still on. I ended driving from north Dakota home to Ohio with it on it didn't die at all. But when I give it gas the heater loses pressure and head lights dim a little. Any suggestions on what could be wrong?

 

[djyeti]

Sounds like an alternator issue to me.

 

[Christopher]

So like try a whole new alternator you think?

 

[djyeti]

I think so. Most alternators run between. 13.8 to 14.2 volts when charging. I'm not sure what the exact numbers on the cobalt are but 13.4 seems low to me and I think your car is letting you know that.

 

[Christopher]

Alright I will change it out tomorrow and let you know if it works or not

 

[YelloEye]

Cobalt should be around 14.2-14.4 at idle.

 

[Christopher]

I know when I first changed it it was like 14.4 then 30 miles later at next Oreillys I tested it. It was at 13.6 then drove 1000 miles back to Ohio like that.

 

[Christopher]

Ok I got car fixed it was a bad alternator

 

[YelloEye]

Score, easy fix!

 

[Christopher]

Yes was thank god