2001 Dakota – 4.7
Last night, I was driving home when the “Check Gages” Light went off. The battery gage show low voltage readings. The battery is a year old (not bad) but I noticed that the light goes from been OK to be dim and vice versa. I am thinking to replace the battery, but I will like a few hints of what can cause the low voltage or the light acting up and down.
I need your help. Please
Thank you

 

Other causes for low voltage could be a loose serpentine belt, maybe due to a bad tensioner. It it slips, the alternator can't put out full power. It could also be a bad ground or dirty connection, an alternator that's failing (brushes don't last forever) or the PCM itself as the regulator is built in.

 

Get alternator tested promptly...

 

go down to autozone and get the battery tested as well

 

Thank you all for your responds. I test the battery (It was good), I remove the serpentine belt to remove the alternator and bring it to the auto part store to be check. The alternator is good. At this point I was clueless. While I have the serpentine belt out, I decide to replace it (just in case). That was it. Everything is working fine, now. Once again, thank you all for taking the time to help me.
PS Sunday afternoon, it was could here in Massachusetts