2014 Toyota Yaris charging issue...

[mjl1297]

I have a 2014 Toyota Yaris with 181,000 miles on the odometer. Recently I've been hearing some intermittent squealing under the hood which goes away after a bit. Since that is the original serpentine likely barking at me I know it could do with replacing which I am going to do.

However, I'm posting in reference to something that occurred during my drive home from work the other night. When I pulled out of the parking lot, I noticed the battery indicator light was on--and it stayed on all the way home. My commute one way is about 75 minutes and I didn't notice any odd behaviour until the radio started cutting out occasionally as I drove into my hometown.

Even now the car cranks fine. I'm thinking it's the alternator. Battery voltage reads good (around 12 volts) but when I start the car it doesn't change appreciably. I'm using an analogue multimeter but I don't notice the needle jumping. I have checked the following fuses:

ALT-S
MET
GAUGE

and they check fine for continuity. I cannot figure out how to remove the HTR fuse. What is the method? Is it even necessary to remove it since through the clear port it doesn't appear to be blown?


I checked the fuses on the positive battery cable and they appear fine as well. I'm planning on having one of the local auto parts stores verify my alternator diagnosis today but I just thought I would post here for any input.

Many thanks.