Voltage seems low, but still runs.
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Voltage seems low, but still runs.
I had to get a new battery yesterday, and had my alternator checked at autozone, it passed there test. Now I am getting 11.4 volts while driving and 11.5 when key is turn on. No codes or nothing. Car starts right up and drives fine. Should I be concerned. Is there another problem somewhere. Thanks.
#2
Le Mans Master
The voltage on the DIC can be off... check your voltage at the battery post...and at the alternator...
C5 battery charge loss chart
A fully charged battery should be 12.6v or more.
If the battery is
12.5 = 85% charged
12.4 = 65%
12.3 = 50%
12.2 = 35%
12.1 = drained
The discrepancy in battery voltage and the voltage displayed on the DIC is attributed to the ignition switch...
Post #559
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1566504093
C5 battery charge loss chart
A fully charged battery should be 12.6v or more.
If the battery is
12.5 = 85% charged
12.4 = 65%
12.3 = 50%
12.2 = 35%
12.1 = drained
The discrepancy in battery voltage and the voltage displayed on the DIC is attributed to the ignition switch...
Post #559
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1566504093
#3
Drifting
Thread Starter
Thanks for responding, but now the car struggles to start. I am new to this. They tested my alternator yesterday at autozone and I bought a new battery but still around 11v and went to 10.5 vilts while driving. I connected everything correctly. Help Thanks
I did try to pull out the ignition fuse under hood and I got scared because there was a spark, but that did not happen before, when I wiggled it I heard a noise like clicking around the manifold. weird. Do I need to unhook the battery to do this?
Where is the ignition switch located?
I did try to pull out the ignition fuse under hood and I got scared because there was a spark, but that did not happen before, when I wiggled it I heard a noise like clicking around the manifold. weird. Do I need to unhook the battery to do this?
Where is the ignition switch located?
Last edited by corvet786c; 10-08-2015 at 04:10 PM.
#4
Le Mans Master
You need to check your connections at the starter...
The ignition switch is what you put the key in to start the car...
The ignition switch is what you put the key in to start the car...
#5
Drifting
Thread Starter
I just bought a new battery yesterday, I take it back to autozone and they say its dead, what could be the cause for another dead battery?
Something is draining my battery I dont know what, when car is started it starts out at 12v then goes all the way down to 10.5 volts. The seats mirrors are all in same place nothing on. ?????????
Something is draining my battery I dont know what, when car is started it starts out at 12v then goes all the way down to 10.5 volts. The seats mirrors are all in same place nothing on. ?????????
#6
Le Mans Master
Thanks Chuck learn something new everyday.
#7
Drifting
Thread Starter
The battery is new and tested 12v I just wanted to know if there was a common problem I don't know about. The morning it started right up but while driving the car stopped in traffic and would not start, the battery was drained somehow. I tested the alternator at autozone and it passed to be working. Any other thoughts?
#10
Le Mans Master
Your Alternator is not charging your battery. But it is not your alternators problem if it tested good.
Most likely it is the connection at the Starter. Normally that is the cause for this type of issue but it could be something else related. Not hard to figure out.
The Alternator feeds power to the Starter FIRST. It then goes to the Battery. So if that connection is bad (or something else) then the battery does not get charged.
This can be proved/disproved by using a voltmeter to check voltage at the alternator and at the battery when the engine is running. The guys at Autozone can do that for you.
If you need me to walk you through this just PM me with your number.
Here is the schematic. On the left the big Red wire is the main feed to the Starter. The small Red wire is feedback to the alternator to control the charging.
Charging System
Mr. Sam
Most likely it is the connection at the Starter. Normally that is the cause for this type of issue but it could be something else related. Not hard to figure out.
The Alternator feeds power to the Starter FIRST. It then goes to the Battery. So if that connection is bad (or something else) then the battery does not get charged.
This can be proved/disproved by using a voltmeter to check voltage at the alternator and at the battery when the engine is running. The guys at Autozone can do that for you.
If you need me to walk you through this just PM me with your number.
Here is the schematic. On the left the big Red wire is the main feed to the Starter. The small Red wire is feedback to the alternator to control the charging.
Charging System
Mr. Sam
#11
Drifting
Thread Starter
Sorry for the questions, but where do I find the starter, under the car? How do I test it? I bought a volt meter from Harbor freight.
#12
Le Mans Master
Ask all the questions you want, that's the purpose of the Forum.
You will need to get the car in the air to access the starter. Use ramps or jackstands (with wheel chocks on the rear tires). DO NOT get under it with just a jack. Very dangerous.
Starter is at the back of the engine on the passenger side. You don't need to test the starter, it seems to be good. Just inspect the connections for integrity at this time. That is where the alternator connects for charging.
Look at the picture in Post 2 of this link. You are interested in the Red wires.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-question.html
Mr. Sam
You will need to get the car in the air to access the starter. Use ramps or jackstands (with wheel chocks on the rear tires). DO NOT get under it with just a jack. Very dangerous.
Starter is at the back of the engine on the passenger side. You don't need to test the starter, it seems to be good. Just inspect the connections for integrity at this time. That is where the alternator connects for charging.
Look at the picture in Post 2 of this link. You are interested in the Red wires.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-question.html
Mr. Sam
#13
Drifting
Thread Starter
Ask all the questions you want, that's the purpose of the Forum.
You will need to get the car in the air to access the starter. Use ramps or jackstands (with wheel chocks on the rear tires). DO NOT get under it with just a jack. Very dangerous.
Starter is at the back of the engine on the passenger side. You don't need to test the starter, it seems to be good. Just inspect the connections for integrity at this time. That is where the alternator connects for charging.
Look at the picture in Post 2 of this link. You are interested in the Red wires.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-question.html
Mr. Sam
You will need to get the car in the air to access the starter. Use ramps or jackstands (with wheel chocks on the rear tires). DO NOT get under it with just a jack. Very dangerous.
Starter is at the back of the engine on the passenger side. You don't need to test the starter, it seems to be good. Just inspect the connections for integrity at this time. That is where the alternator connects for charging.
Look at the picture in Post 2 of this link. You are interested in the Red wires.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-question.html
Mr. Sam
#16
Drifting
Thread Starter
#17
Drifting
Thread Starter
If you had to ask where the starter is located then I suspect that you are unaware that the electrical connection at the starter is ALWAYS electrically hot. Before you go into the area where the starter is located DISCONNECT the negative battery cable so that you don't accidentally short the positive connection to the block, frame or anything else that is a ground.
#18
Simply by the way you are describing the problem. If you are driving down the road, and you look at your volt gauge. It should read 14 at least. If not, you alternator isn't charging enough. Save your self some time and replace the alternator. Wouldn't trust an Autozone tester.
#19
Drifting
Thread Starter
Doing research, havn't checked it yet, but since I received new valve springs fixing valve float and creating more boost more horsepower, that something is loose next to the starter or corroted from high heat.
I am at work now havn't checked yet but now can't wait.
I am at work now havn't checked yet but now can't wait.
#20
Drifting
Thread Starter
Cannot agree with this UNTIL the connections at the starter have been verified. Loose connections at the starter can cause an intermittent electrical connection which prevents the alternator from charging the battery. Have seen this happen often.
OP you need to check the connections FIRST. Contact SAM as he offered if you need help with checking the connection.
OP you need to check the connections FIRST. Contact SAM as he offered if you need help with checking the connection.
So let me get this right the starter is connected to the alternator, then the battery, and if connection is loose it will not charge, Is this just for all C5's ?
Last edited by corvet786c; 10-09-2015 at 11:50 AM.