hi i just recharged my battery last week and the battery light is still on. and everytime i start the car up it seems like the battery power is getting lower and lower....and say i have my system playing and i switch on headlights....it would shut the player off and back on...car isnt registered yet so i cant take it to local auto parts shop to get voltage tested....but this is whats bascially keep happening...i was stupid and constantly kept playing music while the car was not starting up which led to this i think....can anyone please tell me what you think is wrong...thank you. and dont be to harsh on me haha.
I had a similar problem with my summer car just before it went off the road last year. I had the battery and alternator "tested" at Advance Auto. They said both seemed fine but the car died shortly there after. The testing most auto parts stores do is essentially useless. I replaced the battery and sure enough in a few days it was dead. I knew right then and there it was the alternator. The following spring I had the alternator replaced and did the big 3 wiring and have not had a problem since. Long story short, its your alternator.
use a protable radio when ur working the system is killing it and since its not runnning long enough the alternator isnt chargeing ur just gonna detroy the batt. also is its not a sealed batt check the fuild level in it also.
handheld digital meter can be a persons best friend. 12.5 volts for the battery, While charging engine @ idle 13.5 to 14 volts alternator, charging working correctly.
Good Luck.
thank you rich. very good info there. also, do me a favor, and do a voltage drop on the wire going from the alternator to the battery.
just out of curiosity, how many ppl don't know how to do a voltage drop, or what it means? not here to make fun...just here to help out. it is a VERY useful test, if a dmm is handy, which, trust me, make sure you have a dmm handy. makes things nice and easy, instead of, lets throw this part and cross our fingers.
can u explain to me the voltage drop.
voltage drop is basically connecting a dvom in parallell with a wire, put it to the dc volt setting and making sure you dont have an open or a shorted wire for instance if you connect 1 test lead to the pos terminal of your battery and the other lead to the back of your alternator your reading should be less than 1 volt i believe. you might have to help me out here dave, mabye its 2 volts but im pretty positive its less than 1. if your readingis higher check the wire for being open(cut,split) or a short (contacting other metal somewhere) anyway that would be an example of a voltage drop test another handy and fairly cheap tool is a test light,, test light and dvom or dmm are prob my fav tools to use when diagnosing electrical problems
btw the circuit u are testing has to have power for you to get a reading
I think you should go for the new battery....because everytime you make it recharge it will again discharge...and if you prefer for the old one it is needed to be checked...
If the alternator is on top and easy to access take it off and go to a auto electric/ alternator/starter rebuild shop and avoid auto parts stores all together. Once there they will usually test it for free and if you need one I'll bet they have one ready to go cheaper than the parts stores.
If the battery light is on then you need a new alternator...
i agree with dan i believe you need an alternator man
