96 sl1 battery light on and off lights brighten

[billmik]

96 sl1 battery light on and off while driving... lights brighten when battery light comes on... checked terminals/ cleaned, wires etc.... last month car was dead battery terminals were tight. snugged even more 1/4 turn car fires right up.... now tgis intermittent light problem.. Bad battery or Alt?

[BV22]

Your statement is very odd: "lights brighten when battery light comes on". This is the exact opposite of what one would expect. The battery light coming on indicates system voltage is below a preset threshhold, somewhere around 13 V, and generally indicates that the alternator is not charging.

If you have a multimeter, check the battery voltage with the engine not running. Should be around 12.6 V. Check again with the engine running. Should be 14-14.5 V. Your local parts store will also typically do a battery and alternator test for free.

[fetchitfido]

Side terminals suck, but it isn't worth the effort & cost of fixing them unless you're comfortable making your own cables and have to get a new battery anyway (a top post).

I'd start by taking each terminal apart and wire brushing the crud out of them. Then inspect the other ends of the cables, at the block and at the starter. The bolt pulls out (not easily but it does) then the protective case should slide off (doesn't always). If the case doesn't slide off, just wire brush the metal you can see as best you can.

Don't over-tighten the connection either, the terminal in the battery is lead and easy to strip out. Go for finger tight and then maybe another 1/2 turn max.

[billmik]

Thought id come back to report what i found wrong. It ended up being the alternator. Voltage regulator built in? anyway changed alternator all good now

[OldNuc]

Yes, the regulator is built into the main case.