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nicholef1118
Anonymous Poster
nicholef1118@yahoo.com
Jun 8, 2007, 10:44 AM
Post #1 of 2
(1481 views)
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a month ago my car died it wouldn't trun over i got a jump and it was fine, battery right?! i don't know n e more. this morning i got in lights flashed and it dinged it wouldn't catch. (click click click) the more i tried the more it kept draining whats wrong with it is it the battery?[:/]
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 9, 2007, 12:49 AM
Post #2 of 2
(1472 views)
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If the battery is over three years old just get a new one. Go by the date it was made which is marked on the battery which could be obvious or obscure. Some might have a tag indicating month and year and some use letters and numbers like
C-3 which means March, 2003. Some others will have a long number with letters and you may have to check with the manufacturer or dealer as they know because that's the default warranty date on the battery without your sales slip.
With that done (or if it is newer) check the voltage of the battery when charged up - best done with a charger and not just your car.
Voltage may read 12-13V if just charged it and just removed the charger it may read the 13V. Absolute norm is 12.2V
Leave voltmeter on battery and note voltage drop when starting. For the couple seconds the starter is cranking it may drop to say about 10V and when engine runs will read lets say 13.5 - 14.7 may vary some but not much. It should be able to stay over 14 and under 15 with engine running for a minute now so turn everything on especially lights, rear defroster, high speed on fan and the reading will drop some but even at idle should stay over 13.5 at idle and may go up with increased idle speed. If it can't do that the alternator and or regulator is suspect and most come as one unit but if you insist you can get parts for alternators but not practical for most people.
It's always best to charge a battery new or used with a charger. The new battery may not be totally charged and a good one that is discharged may put such a load on the alternator is can burn it out. Actual jump starting should be left for emergencies only from car to car and best with a portable jumper box. Both cars can have problems or get problems from jumping so best leave that to a jumper box which most folks don't have but if you have more than one car and room for it they are very handy. Even come with power ports/ lights and are awesome at home for a power outage.
Sorry for the book - folks will search this out so I wanted to be more detailed,
This is for battery alternator with all connections and fuses known good,
T
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