forget all that side show stuff
battery light (this means battery bad or Alternator dead.
load test the battery fully. no way is it 19 years old and good.
charge it+ load test it(a tool) or get the battery tested in any shop or auto store, (most stores this is a free service) USA is.
then if Lamp glows again the alternator is dead.(battery good now)
caused by
- ALT is bad
- up to 3 fuses blown, for ALT.
- alt belt loose or missing?
- engine runs way way below 800 RPM, causing ALT to go off line.
last one is super rear and was EGR stuck open. super low RPM.
keep in mind, Alternators go
off line on purpose if battery shorts a cell,
or has discovered an open CELL (10v battery not 12v)
this is to prevent 2 bad things, battery does not explode(acid bath)
and does not go over-voltage and blow up $3000 in electronics in the car. (never fun that and ALT's are much smarter now)
AC turns off on all modern cars for many reasons
battery lamp on,so the engine can get you home safely not wasting huge power from AC, as the ALT fails and the battery goes dead in 15 to 30 minutes, now does 30 min for sure in day light.
even DRL lamps go dead if ALT fails.LAMP battery glows.
and
to prevent evap core freeze up or compressor damage
or if engine overheats or PCM puts engine in limphome mode
to gain bad lost engine power, so you can drive safely.
The AC brain want to protect the engine and driver both.
in your mind wonder how low engine power happens passing a logging truck at 75mph.
bingo AC off line saves the day.
and at WOT too wide open throttle, drive may be in danger this.
also transmission too hot or in limphome it.
and more,
air bags brain does not like 10vdc, for DC power so , goes NUTS.
it will self cure later , new battery and or ALT
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