A few simple tests can tell you the health of your charging system.
First, remove the battery and charge it fully. Keep in mind that even a
new battery that gets fully discharged only a few times can be ruined.
After charging it, I would put it in another car and see if it can start
the car. If not, replace the battery before completing the remaining
tests.
Next, reinstall the fully charged battery and start the car. Make sure
no electrical loads are on (no headlights, no fan, no radio, etc.) Put a
voltmeter on the battery posts. You should have a reading around 14
volts. If the reading is lower, say any lower than 13.5 volts, you have
a charging system problem.
If you get a good voltage reading at the battery, shut the engine off
and disconnect any electrical item that runs even when the key is off.
If your B is stock, the only item in this category is the clock on the
radio. Next, disconnect the positive battery cable at the battery and
connect a 12 volt light bulb in series between the battery positive
terminal and battery positive cable. If the bulb lights, even a little
glow, you have a current drain. If the bulb blows, you have a big
current drain.
At this point you will have isolated the problem to be either a bad
battery, the charging system not charging the battery or a current drain
on the battery. You may have a combination of these problems.
Stephen I. Early
Card Services Technology
Bank of America Corporation
800.441.7048 x74788
stephen.early@fiacardservices.com
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-bricklin@autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-bricklin@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Greg Schroeder
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 10:56 PM
To: Bricklin@autox.team.net
Subject: Alternator/Battery/Charging Issue
I had replaced the alternator a couple of years ago. If the battery is
low
and I can start the car or have to jump the car the alternator would
normally
be able to keep the car running. In my case it seems that it does not
provide
enought power to keep the car running and charge the battery. After a
while
of idling the car will stop no power. When I test the alternator it is
producing more than enough voltage. At the battery the voltage may not
increase until the battery gets a little charge and the idle is higher
than
normal. It seems like the individual components are working correctly,
but
not working well together. I do not believe it is a voltage regulater
issue, but it could be. I have had the battery tested and it was OK. I
do not
believe a higher voltage alternator would make a difference since it
test out
OK. I still have a battery drain that is the main cause of having this
problem. It seems I have to keep my battery charger connected since I
will
most likely have to plug it in again to charge the battery. Any
suggestions?
Greg 0036
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