Dead Battery - Any good debugging processes?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria VA
Dead Battery - Any good debugging processes?
My battery dies. And I mean, DIES. No juice left, to the point jumping wont work it and it has to be recharged for hours upon hours or even replaced.
I know nothing about the electrical system, so this should be an adventure. I know there is something called an alternator somewhere that can cause this, but how to do I find out if it is the alternator? and if its not the alternator what could it be? I'm going to lookup what an alternator is now.... Thanks for helping me out if you can...
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
From: ma
Re: Dead Battery - Any good debugging processes? (pingdashf)
Do you have a volt meter or a multimeter? If not one can be purchased at any electronic store or home supply store. This you will need to track down your problem. The good thing is that it will pay for itself 10X over.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Alexandria VA
Re: Dead Battery - Any good debugging processes? (rdrman)
I do have a volt meter/multi-meter somewhere. If not I will certainly buy one. I know they are invaluable for this kind of work.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,909
Likes: 698
From: grand rapids, lowell mi. area
Re: Dead Battery - Any good debugging processes? (pingdashf)
Hey does your car have the lights that stay on 90 seconds after you leave your car,if so it could be the delay timer .
yo Bill
yo Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 787
Likes: 1
From: Toronto Ontario
Re: Dead Battery - Any good debugging processes? (pingdashf)
Real easy to teast your battery 1) charge the battery for at least one hour a charger with a 5 to 15 amp output will be more then enough. 2) remove charger turn on your headlights for 2 minutes " do not run engine" turn lights off now take a voltage reading at the battery if your battery reads less then 12.50 volts replace the battery. To test the alternator start the vette keep rpms at least 1500 rpm take a voltage reading at the battery if the reading is less then 13.5 volts replace the alternator. Also if you need a new battery the best battery on the market is the GM Delco fredom batter it will outlast your Vette. Good luck
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Re: Dead Battery - Any good debugging processes? (pingdashf)
After the battery is fully-charged, does it fail to start the car after just sitting there? If so, then it is a severe drain and I would recommend taking the car to an auto-electric shop for diagnosis.
If the battery is fine just sitting there but will not start after a day of driving, then you may have an alternator/voltage regulator problem. Many auto parts stores will test your electrical system (batter and alternator) for free.
If the battery does not accept a charge, even after many hours, then the battery needs to be replaced.
Good luck!
If the battery is fine just sitting there but will not start after a day of driving, then you may have an alternator/voltage regulator problem. Many auto parts stores will test your electrical system (batter and alternator) for free.
If the battery does not accept a charge, even after many hours, then the battery needs to be replaced.
Good luck!
