Q: Mercury Mariner battery light

asked by on January 26, 2017

Hey, Peter. I own a 2009 Mercury Mariner. Upon start up, the battery light came on 30 seconds later. It was intermittent 3 days ago. Now it's steady. I took it to Autozone and the battery charge was at 74%. I had replaced the battery 4 weeks ago after a few hard cold weather starts. I had heard it may be the voltage regulator part of the alternator. Can recharging the battery be a short term fix? I've been making daily trips of about 10 miles and back for a training class with no radio, heater blower or other equipment. The headlights do pulse some, but still starts up ok. I'm in Cincinnati. Can I make it home to Columbus with a recharged battery and get the proper fix at a sooner than later time, of course. It's about 140 miles away. Thanks for the assistance.

My car has 124000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Battery is dead Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote
Alternator Replacement $166.62 - $1297.14 Get a Quote

One hundred forty miles is too far if your alternator has failed, even if you depart with a fully charged battery. In your circumstance, what you want to determine is charging output at the battery posts. Charging output should be around 14.5 volts but the exact value will be stated in your Factory Service Manual. Of course, be sure the problem is not just simply bad terminal connections at the battery thus preventing the charging circuit from being completed. Your battery should also be load tested. If you want these steps performed by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request an alternator inspection/diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Car overheating all of a sudden.
First I would check your coolant level. Let your vehicle cool down and look in your coolant pressure tank. It should have a mark that tells you where the full level is. If it is low you have a coolant...
Ignition switch noise
Hello, this is a common issue on Honda vehicles, there is a starter relay that can buz when the vehicle is turned on. A qualified mechanic like one from YourMechanic will be able to diagnose the grinding sound for you....
Radiator leaking from crack in top
This is pretty common. The metal gets very thin from cooling system wear, and the tank cannot hold the pressure any more and splits. I recommend replacing the radiator (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/radiator-replacement) and testing the complete system for any other problems.
Code P0011
Trouble code P0011 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0011-obd-ii-trouble-code-camshaft-position-a-timing-over-advanced-or-system-performance-bank-1-by-jay-safford) points to an issue in the engines variable valve timing system. The solenoid responsible for altering the valve adjustment may have become dirty or failed and is stuck in a position better suited for a warm...
the motor is shaking!
It sounds like your vehicle may have a broken vacuum line to the intake manifold. Check the Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) vacuum system and vacuum lines for leaks by listening for the vacuum leak. This is why the engine runs...
My car will crank but not start - 2003 Honda Civic
A number of components can cause a crank/no start condition. The engine control unit (ECU) is going be the first place to look for engine rotation. If the crankshaft/engine speed sensor is faulty, the ECU will not send a signal...
Squeaking brakes
Hello there, squeaking brakes can be caused my many different faults on your 2008 Volvo XC90. The most common causes are the improper brake pad material. There are two different kinds of brake pad material that are common, semi-metallic, and...
Ran out gas and put gas back in but car still won't start
Hello. When the vehicle is completely drained of gas, the pump and related fuel system components can be stressed to the point of failure. This will cause the vehicle to not start (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-is-not-starting-inspection) Start by checking the easy components like...
I have a 2011 Hyundai sonata and the key is stuck in the acc position. I can turn it on and start it but I can not get it to turn
It sounds like you may have an ignition switch that is worn out. Inside the ignition switch is a series of small metal tumblers. After hundreds or thousands of times of inserting the key and turning it and then taking...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2009 Mazda Tribute Hybrid
2009 2009 marked the end of the very short life of the Mazda Tribute Hybrid. All told, the automaker produced fewer than 700 models, and it was ultimately retired well before the Tribute itself ceased production in 2011. For the...
How to Charge a Car Battery
In In an age where it seems every moment is tied to a schedule, the last thing you need is to find yourself stranded when your car doesn't crank due to a dead battery. It doesn't matter whether you're at...
A Mechanic's Guide to the Parts of a Car
Modern cars have many different parts and features, including catalytic converters, anti-lock brakes, four-wheel drive, and keyless ignition.