battery not charging

[aristoquack]

Hi,
I have a 1999 Toyota Camry with a 4 cylinder engine with 122,000 miles. My battery is not charging - I changed the battery & had the alternator checked (its ok) & cleaned the battery terminals. I checked the connections at the alternator using a meter to see if its getting power but still not getting the proper amount. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.
Stewart

[toyomoho]

When the engine is running at 1500 RPM what is the voltage at the battery.

Is the Alt light on.

[xtremeskier97]

Originally Posted by aristoquack

...I checked the connections at the alternator using a meter to see if its getting power but still not getting the proper amount. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.
Stewart

Am I wrong on this, but the Alternator is supposed to GIVE power, not GET power, right?

[EEngineer]

battery gets like that after 5-8 years.
won't hold charge anymore.

[aristoquack]

The battery voltage is 12.55 not running & 11.95 at 1500 rpm & no warning lights are on.

[toyomoho]

The alt output runs directly to the battery. Output at 1500-2000 should be 13.5 to 15.1v at the battery.

Turn on ign key and determine if the Alt light comes on and then goes off after starting engine.

Find the B output terminal at back case of the Alt, should be a larger separate wire bolted to the Alt. Check voltage output at this wire engine at 1500-2000, should be as stated above. Terminal B runs to the battery.

If less then this above voltage find Terminal F on the back of the Alt case. This is a separate terminal labeled "F". Ground terminal F and start engine, then check output voltage. If output is more then above voltage the regulator has a problem, if less the Alt has a problem. Make sure you have the right terminal!

The regulator is built into the back of the Alt.

After the engine has been off for 20 minutes apply a load to the battery. For 20 seconds turn on the headlights, heater blower, rear defogger, etc. and ign switch. After 20 seconds turn all items off.

Measure voltage at the battery (ign all all other items now off). Should be 12.55-12.9 volts if much less the battery has a problem.

[aristoquack]

Thanks for the response - I'll do the tests you recommend over the weekend. Thanks.
Stewart

[aristoquack]

So now with the battery fully charged I've done some more tests but I'm really confused now.
Voltage at the battery not running 12.85
Voltage at the battery after load test 12.70 (put ignition, lights, blower, defroster on for 25 sec)
Voltage (at battery) at idle warm 13.95-13.95 (jumps around)
Voltage (at battery) at 1500 rpm & above 14.04-14.08 (jumps around)
Voltage (at alternator "B") 14.19-14.22 (jumps around)
Voltage (at alternator "B") at 1500 rpm & above 14.26-14.30


Seems ok but when I repeat that test 20-30 min later:
Voltage at battery idle & high rpm 12.15
Voltage at alternator idle & high 12.10


So what could be the problem? The battery is only two weeks old but could it have been damaged by getting run down? Also, should the voltage jump around or should it be rock steady?


Now I also did the test where I run the engine disconnect the negative terminal while running - first time the engine stopped, next time it ran fine but tried it another time & it died. Also when it did run without the battery connected the lights flickered a bit.


Lastly I was told about the "F" terminal on the alternator but I couldn't find it to perform any tests.


Any additional help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Stewart