Battery or Alternator???
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,206
Likes: 311
From: Lino Lakes MN
Battery or Alternator???
Just finished installing headers, new thermostat, coolant change, oil change sways, endlinks and shocks. During coolant change notice volt meter down but didn't notice how low. Jumped in the car volt meter registering at 8 volts, drove it down the block still 8 volts, with service engine now, check abs, check cags, check traction control. Is my battery shot or alternator???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,301
Likes: 6
From: LAND OF OZ Kansas
Probaly the alternator for sure. It's not charging up the car or the battery. It will throw all kinds of codes because mine does it when my battery is low. I have to keep it on a battery tender if I don't drive it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 753
Likes: 0
From: Spring Hill TN
Just finished installing headers, new thermostat, coolant change, oil change sways, endlinks and shocks. During coolant change notice volt meter down but didn't notice how low. Jumped in the car volt meter registering at 8 volts, drove it down the block still 8 volts, with service engine now, check abs, check cags, check traction control. Is my battery shot or alternator???
sometimes you miss something when it goes back together
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,206
Likes: 311
From: Lino Lakes MN
All wiring for the alternator is in place, battery charger on for 1/2 hour droppping quickly to 0. I'm guessing it's the alternator. I'll start her up in the morning and see what happens. I the old days you could have these rebuilt, any options here?
Last edited by yaknow; Apr 27, 2010 at 01:37 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
Likes: 12
From: Los Angeles California
You should DEFINITELY rebuild your alternator. From what I'm understanding, getting a new one is a bad idea unless you can find the exact same model from the exact same brand (Valeo).
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: LEBANON PA.
Hi There;
I would have Auto Zone check your battery for a shorted cell.You can put a charger on all day & never bring it up to a fully charged state with a shorted cell.Most of the time its the battery unless you have high miles.E-bay has the rebuild kits. Do a search if it prooves to be the alt.
robsc501
I would have Auto Zone check your battery for a shorted cell.You can put a charger on all day & never bring it up to a fully charged state with a shorted cell.Most of the time its the battery unless you have high miles.E-bay has the rebuild kits. Do a search if it prooves to be the alt.
robsc501
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 154
Likes: 1
From: Huntley Illinois
Just finished installing headers, new thermostat, coolant change, oil change sways, endlinks and shocks. During coolant change notice volt meter down but didn't notice how low. Jumped in the car volt meter registering at 8 volts, drove it down the block still 8 volts, with service engine now, check abs, check cags, check traction control. Is my battery shot or alternator???
Make sure the cable ends at the battery are torqued to the reommended 11 ft lbs.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Remember that the battery, alternator and all onbard systems, come together at the starter solenoid. You need to make sure that connection is clean and tight but do not forget that its electrically hot down there. I don't remember if the battery cable is attached to the block right adjacent to the starter like it is on the C-6, but the ground cable must also be clean and tight.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,459
Likes: 48
From: Schaumburg IL
CI 7-8-9-11 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Remember that the battery, alternator and all onbard systems, come together at the starter solenoid. You need to make sure that connection is clean and tight but do not forget that its electrically hot down there. I don't remember if the battery cable is attached to the block right adjacent to the starter like it is on the C-6, but the ground cable must also be clean and tight.
easy to disturb the wiring down there when you are installing headers. I always start with the simplest and go from there.. have the battery tested, just in case.
