Since having the intermittent issues with power door locks not unlocking when programmed to do so, and the seat memory having dementia on occasion, as well as the car hiccuping upon start up on occasion, I have installed a new optima red top battery and keep a battery tender on it.

When that battery tender has been on it at least overnight, the car starts and runs much better with no coughing or hesitation and the locks open as they should and the seat memory works. If I drive it around during the day it will gradually start having the issues again and my volts will drop from 13.8 when running and 13.2 upon startup to 12.8 or so and drop to 11.5 when starting.

After a day of running around I put it in the garage today and hooked up the tender and 45 minutes later the light is still yellow (not green) indicating it has not reached sufficient charge yet, after being drivin 50-60 miles today of mixture city/highway driving.

Is this an alternator/charging issue or something else? I have checked all grounds and cleaned most, the others look good with no visible corrosion. No acid drip issues under the battery are visible. With the car running much stronger and the noted issues not being present upon startup with a good charge it seems there is something causing this to discharge and affecting the aforementioned items. I don't know if this can be attributed to those funky battery cables that have a "press to fit" style and no horizontal bolt to snug them up, just a vertical bolt head that lets them still move. Ideas?

 

My friend,, You need to get a volt meter and do some snooping.

What is the voltage DIRECTLY on the battery terminals when the engine is OFF and running??? Same with heavy loads on the system (lights on rear deforst on etc...

What is the voltage on the back of the alternator BATT terminal when engine is OFF and running???

What does the dash volt meter/s read compared to the above readings?????

Those are MUST HAVE values to continue roubleshootion

 

I think you guys are spot on. I'm going to try to get it to my mech this week to do some checking as you have outlined. Normally I would do that, but after my battle with the powers of darkness this last week (repairing the HUD) I am out of time and have to get back to what I DO know about (housebuilding) and with limited time till I head to scratch the Texas mile off my bucket list I need this to be at full power.

The shop needs to still do my manual cutouts, so I'm going to have them look this over as well. Thanks!!!