> > > We then held the multi-meter to the batt while
> > > I tried to
> > > start the car, and the courtesy lights went dim, and Pat (son-in-law)
> > > actually watched the volts dive from 12+ to about nine in a matter of
> > > seconds. (BTW, car didn't start.)
> >
> >If you measured this directly on top of the battery posts, then
> either the
> >battery is run down, the battery is bad, or the starter is.
>
> I get a drain when I'm driving. Would that eliminate the starter as a
> problem?
Not necessarily, but it could certainly explain the battery being
discharged.
> Is there a way to test to either confirm or eliminate
> the starter as a problem?
It is possible to bench-test the starter, but requires equipment most people
don't have (eg 600 amp ammeter). In this case, I'd suggest the easiest test
is to substitute a known good, charged battery. If the battery voltage
still drops as far as 9, it's a safe bet the starter is bad (or the engine
is locked up).
Randall
/// triumphs@autox.team.net mailing list
/// or try http://www.team.net/cgi-bin/majorcool
/// Archives at http://www.team.net/archive
|