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So since I've had my alternator switched out, my battery light has been on. I'm thinking hm, perhaps either the battery was going dead or as someone suggested, the computer might look at it as an over-volt problem. Fine by me.
So, I went out and bought a new yellow-top Optima from Auto Zone.. had to jiggy-rig to get it in there (does anyone know of a place to buy a slightly shorter tensioning brace thing, the thing that goes into the brace that holds the battery down, that hooks into a hole and you tight the hex nut at the top to make the fit snug)?
Anyways.. so I check the DC voltage using a multimeter from Radio Shack. At the battery it's reading 12.08 when I check use the positive probe on the + terminal on the battery and the negative on the - terminal on the battery. Hm. So then I try alternator lead to ground, also reporting a 12.08. What the hell is going on?
I'm about to call an alternator place and see if they can test it.
Is that the voltage when the car is on, or when it's off?
Check all your fuses, sometimes a faulty fuses can mess stuff up....also, make sure the alternator belt is at the right tension, if it's too loose, it won't spin enough.
That's on and off. I tightened the tension bolt, the pivot bolt... checked the fuses, none are blown.. I don't know what the FREAK is going on. 'bout to test for the voltage regulator as soon as my engine cools off enough.
Have you had the alternator tested seperately at Autozone or something?
Oh, and does the voltage stay constant while the car is running? Turn the car on, and turn on the lights and stereo and stuff, and see if the voltage steadily drops...if it does, I would think it's something with the alternator.
Have you had the alternator tested seperately at Autozone or something?
Oh, and does the voltage stay constant while the car is running? Turn the car on, and turn on the lights and stereo and stuff, and see if the voltage steadily drops...if it does, I would think it's something with the alternator.
Unfortunately, no, AutoZone only does bench tests. I'm gonna take it somewhere tomorrow I think and just bite the bullet and pay for electrical diagnostics.
That's on and off. I tightened the tension bolt, the pivot bolt... checked the fuses, none are blown.. I don't know what the FREAK is going on. 'bout to test for the voltage regulator as soon as my engine cools off enough.
i measured my battery voltage with out engine running, it read 12.68V and when the engine running it read 14.4V, i was under the impression that 12.68 is not even fully charged,
i am not sure if voltage varies between battery brands, i don't know much about car battey, but if i measured my battery at 12.08, then probably i would think my battery has been discharged.
A car battery should be anywhere around 12-13v when the car isn't on...when the car is on, it should be around 14v.
Are you sure Autozone can't test it? Do you have an Advance auto parts near you? I was able to test my alternator seperately at Advance, as well as bring the whole car in and have then run their diagnostic thing on it...maybe that's just the one here though.
A car battery should be anywhere around 12-13v when the car isn't on...when the car is on, it should be around 14v.
Are you sure Autozone can't test it? Do you have an Advance auto parts near you? I was able to test my alternator seperately at Advance, as well as bring the whole car in and have then run their diagnostic thing on it...maybe that's just the one here though.
I went to Advance Auto Parts two days ago and they said I had to bring it inside, for a bench test.
I didn't try Auto Zone. Closest one is quite a ways away.
Your alternator is definitely not charging the battery if it's reading 12.08 volts both running and not running. Bronzemaxell's readings are right where a normal battery and alternator should read. If it's not the belt tension, then it's definitely the alternator or the wiring.
I would first charge your battery from an external charger and then call the local Autozone you referred to and ask them if they can test both the battery and alternator for you right on the car. If they say yes, then make the drive over there (after recharging). My vote is for a defective alternator. I know it's new, but I have seen rebuilt alternators defective right out of the box.
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