Electrical Problem / Please help
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Palm Harbor Florida
Electrical Problem / Please help
My 92 LT1 is having a few issues. Last week I was cleaning the car and left the doors open for a few hours. When I was done cleaning, she would not start. Nothing, totally dead. I jumped it and it started right up. Drove it and the gauge read 13.9 volts. After a 30 minute ride it read 14.2. It sat in the garage and two days later it started right up. Today it was dead again. The battery is 2 to 3 months old. Today after I jumped it, the gauge was bouncing all over the board from 13.9 to 14.8 volts. After it ran for 30 minutes it settled at 13.9 volts. Is this a battery issue? Altinator issue? I would appretiate any help or advise.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 721
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC, behind someone going 10 under the speed limit
I'd charge the battery (not run the car and rely on the alternator to do it) for a couple hours, at less than 40 Amp charge. And check your battery cable connections.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 192
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From: AREA 51 ??? THERE IS NO AREA 51 NEVADA
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
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From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
When a car battery is too weak to start a car, it should be charged up with a battery charger. Alternators aren't meant to charge up dead batteries. Dead batteries draw large current at first and this heats up alternators and shortens their life. Also, car batteries take many hours to fully charge up because they charge up exponentially, that is, they charge up fast at first and decrease continually with time. You can tell the state of charge by measuring the battery voltage under no load. 12.0 volts and below, discharged, charge the battery up. 12.9 volts and higher, fully charged and linear inbetween. If you don't drive often, then get a battery tender and keep your battery charged up. Tenders measure the battery voltage and charge the battery when it loses about 10% and then turn off. Every time you deep discharge a car battery, you lose some amp hour capacity, so it is important to keep it charged up!
