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Thread: Problem- Alternator or Battery

  1. 8th September 2013, 10:14 PM #1
    mogindo
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    Problem- Alternator or Battery

    Car dies today, no start.

    I went out for a drive and the battery light came on. I turned back to the house and measured voltage at the battery terminals and it was 11.48V (red flag !!)

    I couldn't get good reading at the alternator.

    But when I took the positive cable off the battery terminal and the car died.

    Well, I couldn't start it again after that.

    Any pointers, I don't want to rush out to get new Red Top Optima not knowing whats going on.

    Cheers,
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  2. 8th September 2013, 10:36 PM #2
    Tombie Guest
    Taking the battery terminal off a running engine can:

    Blow the alternator
    Blow the ECU...

    People who don't understand shouldn't mess with electronics
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  3. 8th September 2013, 10:49 PM #3
    Tank's Avatar
    Tank
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    Jump start it with the main battery connected and a good earth, put a multimeter on the battery and read the voltage, then get someone to rev the engine above idle and see what the reading is. Or get it started and take it to an Auto electrician and get him to test the battery and alternator, regards Frank.
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  4. 8th September 2013, 11:08 PM #4
    mogindo
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    I did have someone rev the engine and the voltage went up, and then the battery light went disappeared. But I still didn't believe it, so I tried to start it again, twice, and second time there was like a half a crank...no juice.

    I can jump start it, but the mechanic shop is far away, so if the alternator is done then I wont make it.

    BTW, I replaced to new alternator 6 months ago
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  5. 9th September 2013, 12:29 AM #5
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    Tank
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    What voltage reading did you get when you revved the engine should be up over 13 volts, if so check your battery leads are clean and tight, especially the earth where it attaches to the block. Take your battery out and put it on a charger and give it a boost for a few days, Regards Frank.
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  6. 9th September 2013, 08:48 AM #6
    mogindo
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    So I jumped the car, and checked the voltage again at the battery, but it was already 11.04V (from 11.48v earlier) then at the car was running it seemed that the voltage continued to drop.

    I checked at the alternator and it was 10.94V. I had one probe on the terminal in the back and the other to the body of the alternator. So I guess my reading was ok, but voltage not.

    Seems that I will have to replace an alternator, which sucks as this one is 6 months old.
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  7. 9th September 2013, 09:23 AM #7
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    djam1
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    Did you buy a good quality alternator or a cheapie??
    Might be a lesson here
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  8. 9th September 2013, 11:39 AM #8
    mogindo
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    I don't recall what make was it, but I checked and I paid USD$ 269.00, so I wouldn't call it cheap, but I hope its not Britpart. I bought the ANR5425
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  9. 9th September 2013, 12:02 PM #9
    mogindo
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    BTW, the battery warning light is not illuminated anymore.
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  10. 9th September 2013, 12:30 PM #10
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    bee utey
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    Quote Originally Posted by mogindo View Post
    BTW, the battery warning light is not illuminated anymore.
    The important thing to note is that a warning light needs to be on with the engine stationary and the ignition on, then go out as the engine runs. A major electrical fault in the alternator may cause the warning light to not come on at all. To test the warning light, disconnect the small brown/yellow wire from the back of the alternator and hold it onto engine earth while the ignition is on. The warning light should then be on. If this wire has fallen off the alternator may not work at all as the trickle of current flowing through the globe to the alternator is needed to excite (or "kick start") the alternator charging cycle. On rare occasions the warning light globe fails.
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