I'm not sure how big of a problem this is, if it is one at all.

My car is a 1997 TE Exec Auto.

However, sometimes, has happened a few times lately, the battery light in the centre console comes on when I'm driving. The car itself seems fine, although it's due for a service after my exams. No problems starting it and the electrical components in the cabin (e.g. Stereo, Lights, etc.) don't play up.

I'm not sure what it is though. Do you guys reckon it's a Battery problem, or just fluke occurance?

Any enlightenment would be appreciated. Thanks everyone.

Im 90% sure that this is your Voltage Regulator on your Alternator (small black rectangular box on the back of it) This controls the amount of voltage that the alternator charges.
If the Regulator is playing up your car MAY be over-charging and under-charging whenever it wants to.
Under Charging will result in battery power loss, whereas Over-Charging CAN cause a number of electrical problems, I have heard of people needing to get ECU's replaced as they go fried because of this. One way to check if it is over-charging is to check your battery water levels, if they are low then your battery has been boiling (you can top it up with distilled water/boiled-then cooled down-water) Corrosion on Battery terminals is also a sign of this, although it is not only caused by over-charging.

I had this happen on my TR, and it was actually cheaper to get a 2nd hand alternator than a regulator. Look around wreckers and try to get one with a warranty on it.

Thanks for that. Hmmm, sounds like a bit of a problem.

Would you know the rough price on an alternator? They be pretty expensive yeah? Around $200?

I've got a problem with that kiiinda.. I'll be driving along and the battery light will come on, flicker sometimes, have a spack attack and then go away, OR it'll come on and the car will slow down like the aircon has just turned on and the lights dim (at night) etc and if i give it a rev everything brightens and then droops again with the rev... anyone care to tell me how much i have to spend?

I don't have any problem with the electronics in the car or weak power though. It's just the light coming on sometimes.

The light will come on for a few reasons,
1. The regulator has failed.
2. The brushs that are fitted to the regulator are to short and therefor don't contact the slip rings firmly enough resulting in a loss of power to the rotor and no or little output.
3. The failure or loose connection of a rectifier diode imbalancing the output phases of the alternator stator being sensed by the phase detector in the regulator.
4. Loose wiring at the alternator.
5. You have the ign on without the motor running ( just for the Smart A***s).

Don't play with them if your not convinced you can do it.
A quick check is to remove regulator (small black plastic box) on the rear of the alternator held in by a couple of screws ** CAREFUL the alternator feeds the battery so it's LIVE***.
When removing regulator be careful not to damage the brushes, 2 rectangular graphite pieces sprung loaded pointing toward the centre of the alt. These brushes are about 20mm new and 5mm when worn out, youll see burning on the slip ring if their bad. They can be desoldered and new ones fitted but if the problem was the brushes I'd just by a new regulator pac and be done with it.

I hate seeing the prices that are paid for alternator overhauls, I did it for a while (not as a buisness,was in the RAAF) and some of the fixes were only a $10 in parts.

i had a similiar problem with my pintara, it wasnt the alternator that was shot it was just the connections, bout 10 bux to fix, but initially they thought it would need replacing, which was around 100-150 for a new alternator.

Thanks for the help guys.

Might take it to someone to check it out or when I have some time take apart the regulator box to see if it's the brushes.

the regulator box is the black thing attached to your altenator, make sure you disconnect the battery terminal or you'll see some nice sparkies coming out of it

This happened again the other night and the radio decided to turn itself off for a while. I turned my aircon off subsequently and only then did it have enough power to turn on. It's been fine after that. So, I'm pretty sure it's what you've all been saying, that the regulator or alternator is playing up.

What I want to ask is, do any of you know a good place in Victoria to get a new alternator or replace the regulator box?

Thanks again.