I'm hoping to tap into some of the technical knowlegde on this forum. I've been having a problem keeping a charge in my 1 year old battery. The car sits from November through April every year, unless there is nice weather. This spring the battery had to be charged to get the car running. I drive the 70 once or twice a week in the summer so the battery drain doesn't seem to be a problem then, except for the hot start issue. Tonight we wanted to go for a ride after the car had sat for about 3 weeks. It had to be charged again. We went for about a 45 minute drive with no shutting the engine off. When we got home, I shut the car off and about 10 seconds later tried to restart it. No go. May be the hot start problem there. I had my meter in the car so I checked the battery voltage & it read about 11.5 volts. I tried to start the car again & still no luck, although it seemed to spin the starter a little more before dying. I came out 30 minutes later & it started almost immediately. I then removed the negative battery cable & put a 12 volt test light between the negative post & the cable. With the door open I had a fairly bright light. When I closed the door, I couldn't see any glow from the light. My clock is not working at this time. It stopped a couple of months ago. It seems that the olny cure for the hot start problem is the high torque starter. I am wondering what your thoughts are on the battery charging though. I did check the battery terminal voltage with the engine running & had about 13.5 volts. Thanks for your help.

 

11.5 volts after shutting it off ? Make sure the alt belt is tight.

 

I will check that tomorrow. Hadn't even thought of that. They always say "check the simple stuff first" & I always head for the tougher stuff. I forgot to mention also that while we were out with the 70 toight, the coutesy lights came on. It seems that that has happened before. As we pulled into the driveway, they went off. It seems that it was a door switch problem before.

 

I went out this morning & checked the battery voltage. It was 11.5 volts. The car started right up. I checked the voltage with it running & it was 14 volts. I looked at the alternator belt & there is some shine to it. I pushed down hard with my finger & the belt deflects about 1 ". I'm thinking I should get new belts but I don't know if the 1" is too much deflection or not. I don't want to tear up the alternator bearings by having the belt too tight.

 

If you can turn the alt. pulley inside the belt using the alt. fan for leverage with your fingers the belt is too loose.(Hope that made sense.)

 

I tried to turn the alternator using it's fan, but it wouldn't budge. I have ordered another complete set of belts though. I figure the side of the belt shouldn't be shiny like it is so I might as well do all 3 since it is the last one off. So far then it looks like I don't really have the low battery voltage after driving problem solved. I check it when I go to the garage & it still shows 11.5 volts not running & 14 volts with the engine running. I'm thinking I read elsewhere that it should be 12 volts when the engine isn't running. Is that correct? Thank you for your help.

 

The side of the belts should be shiney, probably nothing wrong with yours.
As a general rule, the top of the belt should be flush with the top of the pulleys to obtain the correct width belt. Problems arise when they are near the bottom of the pulleys (too narrow).

Regular car batteries can seldom stand more than one total complete discharge.
Then they are ususaly junk. Buy marine batteries to avoid this.
I just get the chepo reguular batteries at Costco for around 30 bucks or the marine for around 50 bucks. Either last for years. Install a battery disconnect switch of your choice and use it. I use them daily with no problems and sleep better knowing no electrical fires may start too.

 

I put an Optima Red top in mine three years ago with a disconect switch and it has been fine even when it sits for months.

 

12 at a minimum-a good battery will measure 12.6.Sounds like your battery might have a weak cell.