I've got a yellow Optima in there, its at least 4 years old. will test asap, never seen this light up on the dash before. any ideas? could it be the alternator?

 

Break out the Meter !!

Without some real numbers you are just guessing .

I would bet the battery See quite a few of those failing after a few years.

Then you never know till you check

A electrical problem for sure.

 

thanks, this ole rig has a few electrical issues. posted one too about the dash Light/Tail lights. another is that I think one of the door sensors is bad because the truck thinks a door is open. Doors won't lock and the dome light will always be on if I leave it on "door". just not willing to dive into removing the sensors and testing without more beta. Need to make time spent fishing for answers as best as possible

 

If you're NoT willing to dive into the truck, u should not be on the forum. If it has thay many problems it does not sound like a Toyota...

 

Useless

 

If your going to attempt electrical work get your self a favor get the Electrical Wiring Diagrams !!

Like useless people like me and Rad use all the time

 

Both your threads are asking for solutions before you've even got your hands into it.

Kinda like asking your doctor over the phone how your health is. You're going to have to go into the office, sorry. Time to put the rubber gloves on and bend over.

Electrical mysteries can only be diagnosed on the spot with a meter. But...
In this instance, you could drive to an auto parts store and have them load test your electrical system to test battery and alt.

You'll probably have to open the hood for them to do it. Think you can do that or do you still need some kind of beta whatever that means.

You really don't know what your battery light does??? I recommend a newer vehicle without so many confusing lights.

As far as your dome light, they are activated by a push button switch in the door. That switch is a single hot wire that grounds to the door to complete the circuit. If it's staying open continuously, most likely the wire is frayed and grounding out. Which switch? Well there's four of them. Get started.

 

Ended up being the alternator, via the voltage regulator which is housed inside and can not replace one with out the other. So, battery light on the dash = bad volt reg/altenator. Picked up one from O'Rielys for about $128 I think ( it was at least a month ago), they come with a lifetime warranty.