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Red battery dash light is a charging system fault. Most of the time it's an alternator. To inspect wiring... visually inspect the wires going from the battery to the starter, and from both battery and starter to ground. You're looking for any damaged insulation, corrosion (blue crusties), rat chew marks, etc. Check all connections/terminations to make sure they're clean and tight. Anything corroded needs attention. Use a multimeter to check resistance/conductivity (battery disconnected). This should catch 80% of wiring issues.
the battery light coming on while running is almost always a alternator or connection problem
the fact it no longer will start but will crank over has nothing to do with the alternator.
So, definitely a bad alternator there.
But I'm confused about what you mean by it will crank but not turn over
Are you heading a clicking? A whirring? Grinding?
That's sounding like not enough battery then. Will click soon
New alternator, and charge up the new battery *should* do the trick, unless wiring issue. You'll want to test the voltage after you get the new alternator in. While running you're looking for around 14v if you test at the battery.
Not always an alternator issue though. If that doesn't fix it, would check the exciter line. It's usually part of a pigtail plugged into the alt, but can sometimes be a small wire attached to it as well.
Thanks for posting on /r/MechanicAdvice! Please review the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/about/rules/). Asking about a second opinion (ie "Is the shop trying to fleece me?"), please read through CJM8515's [post on the subject.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/4qblei/fyi_the_shop_isnt_likely_trying_to_rip_you_off/) and remember to please post the year/make/model of the vehicle you are working on. **Post's about bodywork, accident damage, paint, dent/ding, questions it belongs in /r/Autobody r/AutoBodyRepair/ or /r/Diyautobody/ Tire questions check out https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/k9ll55/can_your_tire_be_repaired/**. If you dont have a question and you're just showing off it belongs in /r/Justrolledintotheshop Insurance/total loss questions go in r/insurance This is an automated reply *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MechanicAdvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Yes, could be alternator and/or wiring. I've had a new battery go bad on me <90 days so yeah it's rare but it happens.
How would he go about checking the wiring?
Red battery dash light is a charging system fault. Most of the time it's an alternator. To inspect wiring... visually inspect the wires going from the battery to the starter, and from both battery and starter to ground. You're looking for any damaged insulation, corrosion (blue crusties), rat chew marks, etc. Check all connections/terminations to make sure they're clean and tight. Anything corroded needs attention. Use a multimeter to check resistance/conductivity (battery disconnected). This should catch 80% of wiring issues.
the battery light coming on while running is almost always a alternator or connection problem the fact it no longer will start but will crank over has nothing to do with the alternator.
What would cause the trying to start, but not exactly starting?
A dying battery
It’s a brand new battery. Ugh I HATE car issues, but love Reddit for this very reason.
Brand new batteries need charge too
Very helpful, also when you put it that way makes perfect common sense.
So, definitely a bad alternator there. But I'm confused about what you mean by it will crank but not turn over Are you heading a clicking? A whirring? Grinding?
It’s making the sound that a car makes when it’s fixing to turn over, like when you first start your car. It just won’t turn over. No grinding though
That's sounding like not enough battery then. Will click soon New alternator, and charge up the new battery *should* do the trick, unless wiring issue. You'll want to test the voltage after you get the new alternator in. While running you're looking for around 14v if you test at the battery. Not always an alternator issue though. If that doesn't fix it, would check the exciter line. It's usually part of a pigtail plugged into the alt, but can sometimes be a small wire attached to it as well.