battery problem
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
battery problem
My battery gauge read a little more than 8volts on sat. night, so I went to get a new battery on sun. morning, but the gauge is still reading at 8volts and sometimes less. Now the battery light came on again even though it is a new battery. Is the alternator bad and is that the reason that the gauge is reading so low? Also, is the new battery useless now or can i get it recharged? Please help corvette brothers! I have a 96 LT1.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
If the battery voltage does not jump to around 14Vdc just after starting the engine you have a problem with the charging system.
The next step is to have the alt checked out or to use a DMM to measure voltage directly at the alternator.
Also make sure the connections at the alt and at the battery are clean and tight.
The next step is to have the alt checked out or to use a DMM to measure voltage directly at the alternator.
Also make sure the connections at the alt and at the battery are clean and tight.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 825
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From: Hanging out back with the dark horses. Wa.
also if you have a Volt meter just start the car and put it to the Batt and see what you got. Sounds like you have a bad alt. Your Batt should be fine just put it on a charger for a few hours.
another option is to drive the car to a good parts store and the can check your alt in the car. Or just pull it and take it to them.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
thanx
I am going to check the connections first and then if they are sound, I will take it and get the alt checked. Also, how do I check the charging system? And, why didnt my computer panel show that something was wrong, I only got the battery icon when the volts ran extremely low. usually the computer panel shows every little thing. what gives? Thanx for the replies fellas, they are much appreciated!! 
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: Perry Ga
Just last night my red battery light came on. I new it wasn't my battery, it had been replaced a year ago. I tested the alternator by leaving the car running and disconnecting the red battery terminal on the battery, the engine died, concluding that my alt. wasn't charging.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
The red battery symbol light on the dash lights when the alternator is not charging the battery. If the engine is running, the alternator must have output or it is defective. A discharged battery (battery terminal voltage below 12.0 volts) can be recharged and you should do so without it sitting very long. Always use a battery charger to recharge your battery. Driving your car for 1/2 hour or so will not fully recharge your battery and it will cause your alternator to become hot which will shorten its life. It usually takes 24 hours to safely recharge a dead car battery.
