Battery Light!!

A couple of days ago, my battery light along with my ABS light came on lightly. In the night, when I turned my lights on they became brighter. I purchased a new battery and the ABS light camo off. However, the battery light come on from time to time. Sometimes brighter than others... When I'm on the highway, it goes away, but in the mornings it comes back on. What going on? Can it just be a faulty light? Thanks in advance.

[G-Benz]

I don't know what model you have, but my first check would be to take a voltmeter and measure the voltage across the battery terminals with the engine running. Test with assessories on and off (including headlights).

You should be in the range of 12.5 - 14.4V depending on rpms and current load.

If your headlights appear bright, then your alternator may be overcharging! Actually the regulator would be the culprit, but unless your alternator is really old, it's an internal component and not a seperate replacement part.

I just got through an alternator replacement a month ago on my 300E and the voltage prior to that was 17.5V!!! No battery light on, but I could smell (and see) the electrolyte venting off the battery!

One other thing to check is that one of the alternator leads may have loosened or come off at the alternator...that may also cause the battery light to come on.

Thanks for the quick reply. I will check the alternator connectors...