I've got this weird problem. The battery light will come on and go off intermittently. It's apparent it's not charging when it's on but checking when it's off shows it's charging. The battery seems ok, but maybe a load test would lead to more answers. I've read that battery problems can lead to this condition, but if I could get some feedback on that, I'd be grateful.

 

safari, before you get going too far, I want you to try something. Start the car and while at idle, turn on the headlights, A/C (dash fan on max speed), and the rear defroster. After about 30 seconds, touch each of the battery terminals (not the lead center post, but the metal bar that is sticking out the 2" or so). Careful, these may be very warm, so, get your hand close before making contact. Are these at essentially ambient temp or are they very hot? If one or both are very hot, then this would indicate a bad cable. Replace the cable(s) first and then see what you have then with the battery light.

 

Okay Thermo, after about two minutes the pos cable got too hot to touch, the negative cable was cool. When I started the car the light was on about 5-6 minutes and then went out. Thanks for the input, we'll try to get a new cable and let you know what happens. Update: I see Autozone sells what they call a "split cable" for that car, I wonder if they're any good.

 

There is a common ground point underneath the battery tray. Remove the battery and tray and clean the stud. For whatever reason these cars are very sensitive to dirty connections. While the battery is out, go ahead and clean the terminals and posts. After getting everything back together be sure to use a corrosion preventer on the connections. If you don't have a commercial corrosion inhibitor, just use good old fashioned wheel grease. Anything to prevent air from reacting with the metals will do.

 

I am in the same situation as you with the light, i saw the same cables from auto zone and i would stay away from them. I think they r just a generic cable and will not be long enough so you would have to splice into the old cable or a new one. 1) we want to replace all connection points and 2) if you are going through the trouble to splice half you mine as well make a single one. A good hardware shop should be able to help.

 

Safari i take that back, i just saw an equivalent at Walmart from another brand might not be a bad option just remember to replace the other half of the cable also. Fyi both of these slits are top mounts but dont have the bend like the stock ones do, may have to do without the battery cover or cut it. I am still in favor of one single cable the slip connection is just another thing to fail (looks like it has a set screw to secure the cables)