Battery Charge Warning

Focker

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Joined
Jan 21, 2024
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Location
Sacramento, CA
Current Rides
2021 Jeep 392
I had this Battery Charge Warning light come on yesterday while driving. I brought up the voltage and took the attached photo.
The light went away after shutting down and restarting.
Anyone experienced this and have input?

IMG_0002.webp
 
I just had this happen multiple times on a recent trip up to CO and experienced the same; battery light would go away after turning the Jeep off, yet return within 40-50mi. I was concerned it was the alternator as I'm on my 2nd one (I'm awaiting an APEX now). I made it to CO and took it into Specialized Truck and SUV in Frisco (great shop & team) who performed a full charging system diagnostic, pulled codes, etc. In my case, they were able to see a voltage spike of +15V in the history meaning the system thought to push more out of the alternator to compensate for a lack of charge. They replaced my Optima with an Interstate and saved my wheeling stress... made it back home without issue and I haven't had the issue again. All voltages on & off are stable. Saying that, I am ordering an IBS to keep in my kit just in case. Get somewhere to pull the codes (preferably not a dealer), but I'd start with the battery particularly if you're seeing +14V consistently while driving.
Put your vehicle in "Run" (engine off), let everything boot up, and check the voltage on the dash.... voltage should be somewhere ~12.2V - 12.6V on a good battery. ~12.6V - 12.8V fully charged and rested.

Electrical voodoo sucks..... fuses, battery, alternator, IBS, wiring/grounding, etc.... I can fix most things in the field, but I'm not an electrical expert by any means.
 
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@Phil921 thank you for all the great input and advice. I will check out the voltage this morning as you have recommended and see what I am getting.
I do have an Optima battery.
 
@Phil921 thank you for all the great input and advice. I will check out the voltage this morning as you have recommended and see what I am getting.
I do have an Optima battery.
I went to Costco I think it’s an interstate .
Also read some believe lead acid is better for off roading . Mine is AGM $ 180 if I remember correctly I replaced my stock battery after two years. I don’t believe optima is so great anymore.and not the first I have read about optima not lasting as they should
 
@Phil921 thank you for all the great input and advice. I will check out the voltage this morning as you have recommended and see what I am getting.
I do have an Optima battery.
No worries. Again, I'm not the electrical guru so if you have someone to pull the codes/history that may be a good path. Keep in mind that you may see good voltages at the time you measure if theres an intermittent battery issue. Good luck!

The Optima of today is not the Optima of age apparently, particularly since they moved production to MX and went through materials cost-out. In addition to my failure, I have a close buddy who's on his 2nd yellowtop... I'm ditching the brand and went with the Interstate AGM like @Earl 392 .
 
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