Battery,Alternator Problem

[AliRazoR]

Hi

I tested my battery the result is:

car OFF: 12.86 V
car ON(No Load): 13.67 V

i think the alternator is not working properly (13.67-12.86=0.81 V !!!!!),
Any idea.

Thanks in advance.

[SexieWASD]

Test it when the car is cold, I know when mine is hot from city driving it charges around 13.5v but is steady at 14.8v cold.

[TierOneSupplier]

Alternators typically produce 13.8 volts. The battery voltage is going to drop back down closer to 12 volts once the engine is shut down. Your numbers sound pretty normal. It doesn't sound like a problem, but is something else going on that prompted you to check the voltages?

[AliRazoR]

Originally Posted by SexieWASD

Test it when the car is cold, I know when mine is hot from city driving it charges around 13.5v but is steady at 14.8v cold.

thanks for reply.

you mean, when the engine is cold,i start the car and then test the battery.am i right?

the 12.86 v is cold test and13.67v is after 50km highway driving test.

[AliRazoR]

Originally Posted by TierOneSupplier

Alternators typically produce 13.8 volts. The battery voltage is going to drop back down closer to 12 volts once the engine is shut down. Your numbers sound pretty normal. It doesn't sound like a problem, but is something else going on that prompted you to check the voltages?

thanks for reply.

a mechanic changed rectifier of alternator last year and the battery as well.new battery last only for one year.i put new battery last month again.i do not want to buy a new battery next year again

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by AliRazoR

thanks for reply.

a mechanic changed rectifier of alternator last year and the battery as well.new battery last only for one year.i put new battery last month again.i do not want to buy a new battery next year again

can you buy a battery with a replacement warranty (e.g. Autozone's Duralast Gold 3yr replacement warranty no questions asked and 8yrs prorated warranty)...

I think your car off battery voltage is good. and yes check running engine voltage also on cold start and wait until it warms up and see again.

I believe I had numbers like this:

a) '00 solara 5s-fe with Duralast Gold battery (4yr old)
-engine shut (and cold for 3 days), voltmeter reads 12.80V
-engine started, voltmeter reads 14.80V initially then as engine speed normalizes it settles at 14.60V !!! <-- now this is the difference when i don't have HIDs anymore hehe
-same as above, but all accessories turned on, voltmeter reads 14.57V

b) '02 solara 1mz-fe with Autocraft Gold battery (4mo old)
-engine shut (and warm), voltmeter reads 12.40V
-engine started, voltmeter reads 14.00V
-same as above, but all accessories turned on, voltmeter reads 13.97V

[AliRazoR]

My car battery is EXIDE (almost 100$),i am not sure whether is original or not.it has only 1year warranty*.my battery worked for 1year and 2 months only.
i see in this forum,people changed their battery after 8year.

but i can not find duralast or diehard or if i find them,so expensive and no warranty.

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by AliRazoR

My car battery is EXIDE (almost 100$),i am not sure whether is original or not.it has only 1year warranty*.my battery worked for 1year and 2 months only.
i see in this forum,people changed their battery after 8year.

but i can not find duralast or diehard or if i find them,so expensive and no warranty.

not sure about your geo location (planet Earth is not very specific hehe), but I'm sure you should be able to get something globally accessible and high-end wherever you are.

first try driving the car on highways for like 30 miles with no accessories running like a/c, radio, lights, all turned off. then park the car at home for 3-4 hours and check voltage with engine shut off, cold started and running warm.

wondering if your alternator might be killing your batteries so fast... how old is your alternator drive belt? is the tension good (should be between 100 and 130lbs)?

Krikit makes nice belt tension gauges, I got mine off amazon for like $20 or so a year ago, evry handy for checking the tension on alternator belt.

[AliRazoR]

another problem.i can not find belt tension test tool.i check it by hand.i changed drive belt and power steering belt 2year ago,it looks new.alternator is 8year old except the rectifier of that.(original alternator)

[fenixus]

This is the gauge I've got, the scale starts off 100lbs but you are still able to estimate the lower values too. it's not very precise for Power Steering belt tension testing (range 60-100lbs). it is however perfect for alternator belt testing.

Amazon

Amazon

Gates 91132 Belt Tension Tester

http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?br...cation_id=2742

However this one (Krikit V-belt tension gauge) is calibrated for range 30-160lbs which should be better suitable for both belts on camry:
http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?br...cation_id=2742

Amazon

Amazon

Gates 91107 Belt Tension Tester

[AliRazoR]

i like to do this with my car battery and then start the car hahaha:

You Tube

You Tube

[fenixus]

geezz, really hard to kill battery
... unbelievable ... hehe

[AliRazoR]

and also this oneno credit card==>no online purchase)

[fenixus]

Originally Posted by AliRazoR

and also this oneno credit card==>no online purchase)

can't you use PayPal linked to your bank checking account or a debit card? you have a bank account right?

[fenixus]

ok, gotcha. so how about using the belt deflection method to estimate the tension as Haynes manual describes ?

when you put firm finger pressure on the belt between pulleys and measure the deflection, how big is it ? wondering if you could just try tightening the belt up a bit and see if it helps the alternator.