So my car was running goofy, it'd start at 12v then dip down to 7, and just before it died it would spike back to 12 and repeat the process.
I tried driving home last night and I saw it falling, and expected it to jump back up. Too bad it didn't. 50 miles towed back home.
I tested the alternator this morning after a jump, and it was putting out 13v at the terminals, except at the battery the voltage was falling!
I bought a new battery. SAME EXACT THING!
WHAT IS GOING ON HERE??? HELP ME!
Charging System Oddities *HELP*
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Ricer Assassian
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Sat Nov 29, 2003 9:59 am
- Car: 05 Flame Red SRT4
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MECPInstaller
- Posts: 811
- Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2003 10:49 am
- Car: installing stereo systems and minor performance upgrades
dropped to 7 volts??? how where you measuring voltage, a gauge, multimeter and if a multi where were you testing at? the alternator with minimal load(without a subwoofer system on) should be around 14.4volts car should be reading around 12 volts when not running if its lower than 11.5 or so your battery might be wearing out, but you tried it on another batt so the battery isn't the problem most likely same with the alternator if it isn't putting out around 14.4 your coil inside it would be wearing.
After alittle thinking if you car was running at 12 while driving thats already low its like the alternator isn't even charging the battery so it drops down to 7 volts and the batt. can't produce spark for the engine to fire. Your alternator is either f'd or not getting good connection to the battery
After alittle thinking if you car was running at 12 while driving thats already low its like the alternator isn't even charging the battery so it drops down to 7 volts and the batt. can't produce spark for the engine to fire. Your alternator is either f'd or not getting good connection to the battery