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Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Wrightwood, CA USA
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Battery does not hold a charge...
My mom's '86 Carrera is not holding a charge in the battery.
Brief background: She had the battery replaced a few months ago. I checked the readings/charge today and it was only at a 3.1. The alternator was replaced about 5k miles ago, so I'm inclined to believe that the regulator is probably faulty here. Am I missing anything else, or something that's fairly obvious? Any help would be appreciated it. Thanks, guys. Rich
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Rich Mitsuda 2007 997.1 GT3 2022 Audi Q3 2005 MINI Cooper S |
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One thing I forgot to mention is that one of the cables wasn't tightened down all the way. It was on, mind you, but I could easily detach it form the battery terminal. Could this be the culprit? Thanks, again.
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Rich Mitsuda 2007 997.1 GT3 2022 Audi Q3 2005 MINI Cooper S |
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Yes, a loose connector can cause enough of a Voltage drop to prevent a battery from getting a full charge.
Clean both posts and the connectors with a wire brush-type cleaning tool, and charge the battery overnight [still disconnected from the car] with a 10 - 15 Amp charger. Check the open-circuit Voltage of the charged battery an hour or more after removing the charger. If the Voltage isn't around 13.0 Volts, there may be a problem with the battery, and it probably should be checked at a shop or auto parts store. If the battery tests OK, apply silicone grease to the posts. Re-install the terminals and start the car to test the battery.
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Warren Hall, Jr. 1973 911S Targa ... 'Annie' 1968 340S Barracuda ... 'Rolling Thunder' |
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Thanks, Warren! I will try that and hopefully that will be the cure.
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Rich Mitsuda 2007 997.1 GT3 2022 Audi Q3 2005 MINI Cooper S |
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Quote:
Do you mean to apply silicon grease to the electrical posts themselves? Or around the posts? I have always been putting them around the posts for corrosion and moisture resistance... Thanks
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Nick '85 Carrera |
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You do not have permissi
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: midwest
Posts: 39,961
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I've always used vasoline (didn't think it would hurt plastic). Once had a ground wire that looked alright on the outside, but bad corrosion had worked its way up a foot after peeling the sleeve.
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You do not have permissi
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: midwest
Posts: 39,961
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I've been told 12.2V is about as low as lead-acid batteries like to be. If it's 3V at the terminals it's prbably dead, no reviving.
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Thanks for the info, John. It's a good thing there's a warranty on the battery if that's the case.
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Rich Mitsuda 2007 997.1 GT3 2022 Audi Q3 2005 MINI Cooper S |
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Friend of Warren
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Lincoln, NE
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And don't forget to check the obvious battery drains. I have on a couple of ocassions bumped one of the overhead interior lights to the "always on" position and in my lighted garage never noticed it was on when I shut the door.
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Kurt V No more Porsches, but a revolving number of motorcycles. |
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