A week ago I drove to CT and about 45 minutes before I got there the battery "dummy" light came on. The car drove fine, I made it to CT. I shut the car off, started it back up and the light stayed off. So, two days later I drove it home, again 45 minutes before I got home the light came on again and I noticed the lights started to dim on and off. They never went off, but started to dim. Again, when I got back home I shut the car off, turned it on and the light was off.

I drove it since, just for half hour or hour rides and no issues. The car runs fine. I went to Autozone and I had them hook up the tool they have and they told me that the alternator and battery were both reading fine. He did mention that "Alternators are funny, it could be fine now but in ten minutes the voltage regulator could go and your stuck".

Because of the location of the battery I am unable to unhook it while the car is running to see if the Alt will keep it running.

I plan on getting a new alternator. But, before I do I wanted to ask if anyone has ever heard of anything else that would cause this dummy light to come on. In the manual it says it is the charging system light. The light shows the status of the electrical charging system. I am assuming this only has to do with the Alternator and Battery. Am I assuming correct? Could anything else cause this?

Note: I had to replace the A/C compressor because the bearings went on the spindle about a month ago. I didn't recharge it as it's not needed in Maine during the winter. I just left it. Should I disconnect it from the electrical system and leave it for the sake of having a pulley? Could this be part of the problem?

It's a 2000 Stratus 2.4L DOHC with near 200,000 miles any and all suggestions would be greatly, greatly appreciated!

 

It is too late to do it now. But do you think the spark plugs could have anything to do with this? As far as I knew, the spark plugs were to start the vehicle, create a spark and get the vehicle running.

I am begging, anyone have anything? Do you think the brushes are wearing down on the alternator causing the voltage regulator to not function properly?

 

Ok, I went out side and followed every wire from the alternator and I pulled the battery out and cleaned it with baking soda and water.

I put everything back together and the car runs the same as it always has, it just has the damn electric control system problem. Could this have anything to do with the PDC? Could it just be a simple fuse?

 

The AC compressor should not run (clutch engage) if it is low on freon. There is a low pressure sensor that handles that. Unfortunately the voltage regulator is in the PCM.
There is a positive and negative power distribution terminal in the engine compartment. You can can remove and separate the wires from either terminal, essentially disconnecting the battery.The battery, alternator, rectifiers (internal to alternator), and the voltage regulator comprise the 12 Volt power system. I really have a poor opinion of Autozone mechanics dealing with electrical problems. Take the car to a specialist.