Bad alternator?????????
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Durham North Carolina
Bad alternator?????????
I was driving home and stopped off to see a friend, I stopped the car and kept the radio on. I walked away for about 30min. When I came back the radio was off and the battery was dead. So I had to get a jump. Now I am getting a flashing light on the console that says sys. I was wondering if any of you could know what’s up with my car. My Batt is sitting at 14.3 volts after driving home after 10 miles and the battery is dead again. So I am thinking alternator might be bad. Any help you can give would be appreciated. thanks.
:seeya :flag :seeya
:seeya :flag :seeya
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 5
From: ZR1 Gathering '04, '05 Northlake Texas
Re: Bad alternator????????? (VETHEAD JR)
Sounds like your battery is bad. I would take it out and have it checked at an autoparts store, before I replaced the Alternator. If your alternator was bad, you will not see 14 volts on your gage, and more than likley your car would stall. If your battery is more then a couple years old and it drained down, that could cause it to short or open condition.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Durham North Carolina
Re: Bad alternator????????? (VETHEAD JR)
i took the car in and they said that the battery was good. They found nothing wrong with the car. You know i hate it when you go in and the people look at you like your dumb. Umm sir there is nothing wrong with your car it must just be you. oh well. Thanks Guys.
:seeya :flag :seeya
:seeya :flag :seeya
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 13,356
Likes: 0
From: tucson AZ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
Re: Bad alternator????????? (VETHEAD JR)
Get a new battery...it must be time......has all the symptoms of a bad battery....
go for a good one....ultima.....thats what I will when I need another battery....
tony
:flag :iagree:
go for a good one....ultima.....thats what I will when I need another battery....
tony
:flag :iagree:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 0
From: Montreal Que
Re: Bad alternator????????? (oldace84)
Get a new battery...it must be time......has all the symptoms of a bad battery....
go for a good one....ultima.....thats what I will when I need another battery....
tony
:flag :iagree:
go for a good one....ultima.....thats what I will when I need another battery....
tony
:flag :iagree:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 0
From: Northern tip of Virginia
Re: Bad alternator????????? (CanadaVette)
did they check the "cranking amps" on the battery?
if it an old battery, it is possible that the volage reads ok, but that it wont hold its cranking amps.
I know, becuase I just replaced one like that about 6 months ago :seeya
if it an old battery, it is possible that the volage reads ok, but that it wont hold its cranking amps.
I know, becuase I just replaced one like that about 6 months ago :seeya
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Re: Bad alternator????????? (VETHEAD JR)
Get a volt meter and check the battery. Min of 13 volts with engine off.
Check the battery with the engine running, should show 13-14.5 volts.
The battery should have a charge over 12.5 volts all the time. 12.5 will start the car. 11.5 wont.
Average charge on a low battery should be 13-14 volts.
If the battery has a cell that has shorted out there will be no charge when the car is running.
Again check the battery at rest and with the car running.
Check the battery with the engine running, should show 13-14.5 volts.
The battery should have a charge over 12.5 volts all the time. 12.5 will start the car. 11.5 wont.
Average charge on a low battery should be 13-14 volts.
If the battery has a cell that has shorted out there will be no charge when the car is running.
Again check the battery at rest and with the car running.
