Battery Voltage - curious
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 3
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Battery Voltage - curious
Strange thing. This last week, I noticed when I came to a stop a few times I felt a brief stumble - once I got a Service Engine Soon light. Restarted, and problem went away.
On a hunch, I checked battery voltage at start in the morning - it read 10.4 V! After starting, it went up to 12.4 - 13.1.
The battery is less than a year old - my sense is either not getting a full charge, or a cell is going bad.
Any thoughts?
On a hunch, I checked battery voltage at start in the morning - it read 10.4 V! After starting, it went up to 12.4 - 13.1.
The battery is less than a year old - my sense is either not getting a full charge, or a cell is going bad.
Any thoughts?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,394
Likes: 12
From: Leon Iowa
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Originally Posted by mrtoner
Strange thing. This last week, I noticed when I came to a stop a few times I felt a brief stumble - once I got a Service Engine Soon light. Restarted, and problem went away.
On a hunch, I checked battery voltage at start in the morning - it read 10.4 V! After starting, it went up to 12.4 - 13.1.
The battery is less than a year old - my sense is either not getting a full charge, or a cell is going bad.
Any thoughts?
On a hunch, I checked battery voltage at start in the morning - it read 10.4 V! After starting, it went up to 12.4 - 13.1.
The battery is less than a year old - my sense is either not getting a full charge, or a cell is going bad.
Any thoughts?
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,772
Likes: 343
From: SIOUX FALLS SD
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
I know or two incidents where this happened and it turned out to be a bad wire going to the starter. I dont know which wire but on one occasion the dealership practically tore the whole dash apart only to find out it was the wire going to the starter. I dont know what wire or anything like that but just thought you might check that first. Otherwise it sounds like a bad battery or bad alternator.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 993
Likes: 0
From: PA
Originally Posted by mrtoner
On a hunch, I checked battery voltage at start in the morning - it read 10.4 V! After starting, it went up to 12.4 - 13.1.
HTH
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 3
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Thanks for all the input.
I think the charging system is ok, battery is probably the one. I will check it out.
Might be I don't drive enough to keep it fully charged, plus it's been so hot the last couple of weeks, I know that doesn't help.
I think the charging system is ok, battery is probably the one. I will check it out.
Might be I don't drive enough to keep it fully charged, plus it's been so hot the last couple of weeks, I know that doesn't help.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
The running voltage is low. Should be 13.5 to 14.6. Looking at the initial voltage I would change the battery first. Sounds like the battery is about to be history. This can result in the running voltage being low in addition to the initial voltage.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 3
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Originally Posted by FlZ06
The running voltage is low. Should be 13.5 to 14.6. Looking at the initial voltage I would change the battery first. Sounds like the battery is about to be history. This can result in the running voltage being low in addition to the initial voltage.
What I will do tonite is a slow charge, then check it over the next couple of days.
If the voltage goes back down, battery is history.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Country Boys Can Survive.
Originally Posted by FlZ06
The running voltage is low. Should be 13.5 to 14.6. Looking at the initial voltage I would change the battery first. Sounds like the battery is about to be history. This can result in the running voltage being low in addition to the initial voltage.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 3
From: Orland Park Illinois
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Originally Posted by mrtoner
The battery is less than a year old - my sense is either not getting a full charge, or a cell is going bad.
Any thoughts?
I'm curious----what kind of battery is it???
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 3
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Originally Posted by BiggieBoy
I'm curious----what kind of battery is it???
During lunch today I stopped at the shop where I got it, and they checked the battery and the charging system. Charging is OK, but the battery is reading low.
Since I didn't have the time to do more, we agreed I would trickle charge it tonight and check it again. If it still reads low, they will replace N/C
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 836
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, Colo., USA
Originally Posted by mrtoner
Thanks for all the input.
I think the charging system is ok, battery is probably the one. I will check it out.
Might be I don't drive enough to keep it fully charged, plus it's been so hot the last couple of weeks, I know that doesn't help.
I think the charging system is ok, battery is probably the one. I will check it out.
Might be I don't drive enough to keep it fully charged, plus it's been so hot the last couple of weeks, I know that doesn't help.
As to heat, whenever I park the car anywhere, work, home, out, I shut down all systems about a block or two before I shut off the engine.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 3
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Originally Posted by JH
I agree your charging system looks okay by the numbers. Remember, when you are reading the volt meter with the key on but the engine off, you are reading the battery's charge. When the car is running you are reading alternator output.
As to heat, whenever I park the car anywhere, work, home, out, I shut down all systems about a block or two before I shut off the engine.
As to heat, whenever I park the car anywhere, work, home, out, I shut down all systems about a block or two before I shut off the engine.
