starting/charging/battery?
#1
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
starting/charging/battery?
So lately I have woken up to a dead battery a couple times. At first I thought it was just the -16* mornings, but it even did it on a 30*+ degree day. So I grabbed the optima red top I was going to use in my Sonoma, which was like 6 months old and never used to start a car, so brand spakin new. Put it in, gave it a charge and started it up. I figured I was all good to go now. Well on the way home from work, I see smoke coming from the hood and it stinks like rotten eggs (overcharged battery smell). So I pull over, pop the hood and steam is coming from the red top. wtf? So I get home and the battery is warm and still steaming. Next morning it started ok and got me to the airport for my trip. Come back from the trip (4 days later) and the battery is COMPLETELY dead...dome lights won't even come on (what a great surprise that was!). So I get a jump and get home without an issue. When I got home and shut it off, the battery was totally dead, the alternator was the only thing that got me home. First thought was the alternator was acting screwy, overcharging the battery or not charging it at all. Well the gauge on the dash never goes above 14v so it doesn't seem like it'* sending too much voltage. AmatuerZone tested the battery and can't even get a reading out of it. I also had them test the alternator/charging system...all tests ok...WTF? When his system tester put a load on the system, the headlights dimmed for a second....Any suggestions? I'm still leaning towards the alternator, but the tester says it'* fine....
#2
Retired Senior Admin
Expert Gearhead
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sheboygan Wisconsin
Posts: 29,661
Likes: 0
Received 28 Likes
on
24 Posts
I suspect the alt. A dead battery could be a number if things. The ELC pump running at night is good for that. But cooking the battery, there'* only one thing I can think of and that'* the alt over charging.
#3
Senior Member
True Car Nut
I've seen some goofing voltage reading difference from directly on the alternator output, versus at the battery, and at idle versus highway speeds. It almost sounds like the voltage regulator has failed and you boiled the battery. Here' some great info and a way to test if you own if you have a voltage meter (digital multi meter - DMM):http://info.rockauto.com/CarCareforC...Ch6SmplPgs.pdf
Last edited by Purplehazeir; 02-17-2009 at 10:52 PM. Reason: Hmmm... had an 'of' instead of 'if'....friggin fingers.
#4
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So I did some testing yesterday and am kind of confused...(these were tested at the battery)
Running at idle = 14.20-14.21 VDC
Fast idle (like 1500) = 14.20-14.21 VDC
Revved up (like 3k) = 14.20-14.21 VDC
It never moved from the initial reading at ilde no matter how many rpm. When I put a load on the system (rolled up the windows and held switch while windows were up), it only dropped to a minimum of 13.4 VDC. Also, I put in the battery that had been dying on me (the one before the optima) and it has not given me one issue for 2 days...wtf? Tonight I will test at the alternator to see if I get similar results..
Running at idle = 14.20-14.21 VDC
Fast idle (like 1500) = 14.20-14.21 VDC
Revved up (like 3k) = 14.20-14.21 VDC
It never moved from the initial reading at ilde no matter how many rpm. When I put a load on the system (rolled up the windows and held switch while windows were up), it only dropped to a minimum of 13.4 VDC. Also, I put in the battery that had been dying on me (the one before the optima) and it has not given me one issue for 2 days...wtf? Tonight I will test at the alternator to see if I get similar results..
Last edited by SNK SKNR; 02-19-2009 at 09:45 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jaye22
Everything Electrical & Electronic
15
04-14-2017 07:10 PM
GunsOfNavarone
General GM Chat
8
10-06-2014 07:17 AM
88bonnsse
Everything Electrical & Electronic
11
09-16-2007 11:11 AM