Hi i have a austin metro and i had my alternater replaced around two months ago. but know i am having troubles and dont think my battery is charging correctly. i got a brand new battery this morning and all day it has been fine but i just noticed the indicators where not flashing as fast as they usually do and also the radio switch's on and off (like it done with the other battery which was not charging correctly). across a volt meter the battery standing reads 12.50 (ish) and then when i start the car the alternater is giving me around 11.50 volts. Is this because the alternater is knackered or is it something else. by the way i tested the ground and it is not broke and i cleaned the ground connectors up also. any help would be apprechiated regards
Mark
2006-07-16 09:37:29 · 9 answers · asked by markblue777 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Hi i have a austin metro and i had my alternater replaced around two months ago. but know i am having troubles and dont think my battery is charging correctly. i got a brand new battery this morning and all day it has been fine but i just noticed the indicators where not flashing as fast as they usually do and also the radio switch's on and off (like it done with the other battery which was not charging correctly). across a volt meter the battery standing reads 12.50 (ish) and then when i start the car the alternater is giving me around 11.50 volts. Is this because the alternater is knackered or is it something else. by the way i tested the ground and it is not broke and i cleaned the ground connectors up also. any help would be apprechiated regards
Mark
Extra Detail
By the way the belt is tight and not slack. i am hopefully getting the bloke to have a look at my alternator tomorrow and hopfuly change it or fix it then i hope this mess will be over. thanks for the help people
2006-07-16 10:00:58 · update #1
Your alternator doesn't appear to be putting out enough voltage to both run your car and charge the battery.
Could be a voltage regulator problem on your alternator - your alternator will ideally put out somewhere around 14.4 volts at all times (i.e. when the car is running), enough to properly run all the 12-volt instruments and accessories in the car, as well as give the battery a slow "trickle" charge at the same time.
If you're only reading 11.5 volts from your battery while the car is running, there's definitely something wrong with the charging system! I'd get the alternator checked out and/or replaced!
Good Luck...
2006-07-16 09:50:57 · answer #1 · answered by Snacks 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is usually a "Field Excitation" wire that "tells" the alternator to start charging. If this wire was not reconnected the Alternator will not charge your battery.
11.5 volts is the "loaded" voltage of your Battery. I'd say your alternator is not working. Make sure the "Field" wire is hooked up and if the "Voltage Regulator" is a separate item. check it, to make sure it's working correctly.
2006-07-16 10:40:37 · answer #2 · answered by TommyTrouble 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sometimes batteries stay on the shelf at the store so long they become bad. some parts places don't COMPLETELY rebuild the alternator, only replce the one part in it that was broken. thirdly, perhaps check that your positive battery cable is not pinched by metal, nor is lying close to metal and grounding out (arcing from the wire to earth on your car body/frame). this can be evidenced by observation of the running vehicle at night (dark conditions), or the wire insulation may have white dust on it where it's grounding out.
2006-07-16 09:58:38 · answer #3 · answered by Ryan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wow this is a tough one since you just got a new battery...the only other thing i know of that takes energy would be the starter. have you looked at the fuses??? its probly your altenator, the alternator will drain your battery dead if it is goin out, more than likely this is the case, you can take in the alternator to see if it is working,they have test machines that can do this. you also might want to take in the batt and have it recharged since the alternator is draining the battery,good luck
2006-07-16 09:47:30 · answer #4 · answered by nickolaus c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check the belt tension to see if it is correct, I doubt if you have an blown fuse. More than likely either a bad voltage rugulator, or bad alternator.
2006-07-16 09:53:42 · answer #5 · answered by Jim F 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to the auto parts store and ask them to do a free charging system check. Do it in the daytime because sometimes they won't go out of the store at night.
2006-07-16 10:05:59 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
check the belt tension. loose belts make low alternator voltages. the alternator should be charging at 14.5 volts or better.
2006-07-16 09:52:49 · answer #7 · answered by dread pirate lavenderbeard 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is totally positive to value it at that aspect. waiting on your battery to die is by no skill sturdy, it will shorten the life of your rechargeable battery. So convinced value it beforehand it dies.
2016-12-10 10:26:58 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I went through all that finally got a larger altinater and am fine now.GL
2006-07-16 09:42:13 · answer #9 · answered by darlene793 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋