The charging system had been failing for a while, but since I never drove far, it kept the battery mostly charged.
I recently took a longer trip, and my car died twice at traffic lights due to no power. The battery was completely dead. The charging light comes on after 5 minutes or so of driving, and rarely does it go off. Is this just a failing alternator, or could it be something else?
2007-09-12 11:29:56 · 5 answers · asked by D B 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Most likely a failing alternator.
Start car, put an VOM meter to the battery to read voltage. Typically it should be reading 13+, but below 14volts showing the alternator is charging the battery.
If it's only reading a little over 12 volts, it's not charging the battery and you should get a new alternator.
Or take the alternator off and take it in to a parts store and they will test it for free.
2007-09-12 11:39:24 · answer #1 · answered by hsueh010 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i could verify my battery cables for corrosion and different issues the place they connect with the battery first. It sounds like grimy connections. as quickly as you sparkling the battery terminals then you certainly initiate questioning related to the stuff that expenses funds. I even have considered assorted people replace batteries that had no longer something incorrect with them different than grimy corroded terminals. of direction changing the battery meant new connections on sparkling posts so as that they drove away chuffed, yet some hundred and fifty funds poorer. i could additionally verify the belt that drives the alternator. now and back they get unfastened and slip. If the alternator belt is slipping your alternator could no longer cost, yet back you need to have an fool easy drawing near or flickering if it fairly is the case. ----- ok, open the hood, look on the battery does it look sparkling around the terminals. pass get a wrench that suits the nuts on the terminals on the area of the battery. i can't bear in ideas proper now whether that's a million/4 inch or 5/sixteen whether that's some thing like that. Undo the terminals. seem to make certain in the event that they have white or yellowish powder grunge. seem to make certain in the event that they have assorted oxidation. sparkling them until they're bright and tender. positioned them back on the battery. careful to no longer over tighten them you're turning bolts into lead and that they strip out truthfully. you like tight yet no longer gorrilla form tight. ascertain your kit are all back interior the field, close the hood, initiate your vehicle and choose for achronic to make certain if the difficulty is fixed.
2016-11-15 01:55:44 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since it charges on short trips, sounds more like the voltage regulator is the culprit
2007-09-12 11:56:22 · answer #3 · answered by Pengy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah Alt. and battery may be getting weak also check battery cables and terminals
2007-09-12 18:03:24 · answer #4 · answered by sidecar0 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're sure your battery is healthy then yes, it's the alternator.
2007-09-12 11:39:18 · answer #5 · answered by Allison R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋