1997 avalon does not charge at idle

[skynet1988]

Hey guys! I have a question for you guys, I keep having a problem that whenever I am at idle for a couple of minutes the battery light will light up on the dash and the car stumbles. I already replaced the alternator with a new one and I am still having this problem.

[skynet1988]

I also forgot to add, I replaced the battery like 6 months ago, it is a Sears Diehard gold

[jsseibel]

Sounds like you have a short somewhere that is draining the battery.

Also, have you put a voltmeter on the battery while the car is running? It should run around 14v.

[skynet1988]

I have, it reads 14.6-14.8 at above 1000 rpm. when at idle it reads 12. somthing, if I let it run with the headlights on it will die quicker.

[toyomoho]

Are you running a high watt stereo or something that draws a lot of amps?

[csaxon]

What rpm is your car idling at?

[skynet1988]

I can not definitively say, one tick below one

[skynet1988]

I DO have a aftermarket stereo, and fog lamps. but this had no effect on the car before, I even changed the alternator. but this didn't seem to help I guess. is there something that tells the alternator to charge or to make the car rev more to charge?

[gideon1331]

Many times if your alternator fails, it takes your battery along for the ride. I have seen several batteries in cars with alternators that have failed that will take a significant charge from the new alternator, but never storing much of it. Not changing your battery when the alternator is replaced is just asking for the new alternator to be overworked and fail again.

[toyomoho]

The regulator is built into the alternator. Even at 900 RPM it should be putting out 14V or so. But first take the car to Sears and have them test the battery under load, if OK then look at the alternator.