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Alternator Output
I bought a '92 Civic in August. Within a week the battery died. Since then I
have replaced the computer, and the distributor. Today my daughter drove it to work. When she tried to drive it home the engine would not crank. I jumped it, and it started right up. After disconnecting the jumper cables I checked the voltage at the Civic's battery terminals with a voltage meter and it read 14.2 volts. When driving it home I heard a high pitch whine that seemed to come from under the hood. I took it to Autozone and had the charging system checked. They said the alternator was putting out 62 amps at 2000 rpm and 35 at idle. I think that should be good enough to keep the battery charged. Here in Arizona batteries are usually failing because of heat (bad cells). This acts like a bad cell to me. Thanks |
Re: Alternator Output
Hi,
Make sure you have good main ground connection from battery/alternator to car chassis. Hot weather is harder on batteries than cold climate. I live in Alberta. Used to go down to PHX a lot. (retired from Honeywell). Once I suffered a bad battery on a new rental car. Battery literally boiled over. Tony MHolland wrote: > I bought a '92 Civic in August. Within a week the battery died. Since then I > have replaced the computer, and the distributor. Today my daughter drove it > to work. When she tried to drive it home the engine would not crank. I > jumped it, and it started right up. After disconnecting the jumper cables I > checked the voltage at the Civic's battery terminals with a voltage meter > and it read 14.2 volts. When driving it home I heard a high pitch whine that > seemed to come from under the hood. I took it to Autozone and had the > charging system checked. They said the alternator was putting out 62 amps at > 2000 rpm and 35 at idle. I think that should be good enough to keep the > battery charged. Here in Arizona batteries are usually failing because of > heat (bad cells). This acts like a bad cell to me. > > Thanks > > |
Re: Alternator Output
Hi,
Make sure you have good main ground connection from battery/alternator to car chassis. Hot weather is harder on batteries than cold climate. I live in Alberta. Used to go down to PHX a lot. (retired from Honeywell). Once I suffered a bad battery on a new rental car. Battery literally boiled over. Tony MHolland wrote: > I bought a '92 Civic in August. Within a week the battery died. Since then I > have replaced the computer, and the distributor. Today my daughter drove it > to work. When she tried to drive it home the engine would not crank. I > jumped it, and it started right up. After disconnecting the jumper cables I > checked the voltage at the Civic's battery terminals with a voltage meter > and it read 14.2 volts. When driving it home I heard a high pitch whine that > seemed to come from under the hood. I took it to Autozone and had the > charging system checked. They said the alternator was putting out 62 amps at > 2000 rpm and 35 at idle. I think that should be good enough to keep the > battery charged. Here in Arizona batteries are usually failing because of > heat (bad cells). This acts like a bad cell to me. > > Thanks > > |
Re: Alternator Output
Hi,
Make sure you have good main ground connection from battery/alternator to car chassis. Hot weather is harder on batteries than cold climate. I live in Alberta. Used to go down to PHX a lot. (retired from Honeywell). Once I suffered a bad battery on a new rental car. Battery literally boiled over. Tony MHolland wrote: > I bought a '92 Civic in August. Within a week the battery died. Since then I > have replaced the computer, and the distributor. Today my daughter drove it > to work. When she tried to drive it home the engine would not crank. I > jumped it, and it started right up. After disconnecting the jumper cables I > checked the voltage at the Civic's battery terminals with a voltage meter > and it read 14.2 volts. When driving it home I heard a high pitch whine that > seemed to come from under the hood. I took it to Autozone and had the > charging system checked. They said the alternator was putting out 62 amps at > 2000 rpm and 35 at idle. I think that should be good enough to keep the > battery charged. Here in Arizona batteries are usually failing because of > heat (bad cells). This acts like a bad cell to me. > > Thanks > > |
Re: Alternator Output
Hi,
Make sure you have good main ground connection from battery/alternator to car chassis. Hot weather is harder on batteries than cold climate. I live in Alberta. Used to go down to PHX a lot. (retired from Honeywell). Once I suffered a bad battery on a new rental car. Battery literally boiled over. Tony MHolland wrote: > I bought a '92 Civic in August. Within a week the battery died. Since then I > have replaced the computer, and the distributor. Today my daughter drove it > to work. When she tried to drive it home the engine would not crank. I > jumped it, and it started right up. After disconnecting the jumper cables I > checked the voltage at the Civic's battery terminals with a voltage meter > and it read 14.2 volts. When driving it home I heard a high pitch whine that > seemed to come from under the hood. I took it to Autozone and had the > charging system checked. They said the alternator was putting out 62 amps at > 2000 rpm and 35 at idle. I think that should be good enough to keep the > battery charged. Here in Arizona batteries are usually failing because of > heat (bad cells). This acts like a bad cell to me. > > Thanks > > |
Re: Alternator Output
So 62 amps is ok?
"Tony Hwang" <dragon40@shaw.ca> wrote in message news:cGgtb.393083$9l5.125757@pd7tw2no... > Hi, > Make sure you have good main ground connection from battery/alternator > to car chassis. Hot weather is harder on batteries than cold climate. > I live in Alberta. Used to go down to PHX a lot. (retired from > Honeywell). Once I suffered a bad battery on a new rental car. Battery > literally boiled over. > Tony > > MHolland wrote: > > > I bought a '92 Civic in August. Within a week the battery died. Since then I > > have replaced the computer, and the distributor. Today my daughter drove it > > to work. When she tried to drive it home the engine would not crank. I > > jumped it, and it started right up. After disconnecting the jumper cables I > > checked the voltage at the Civic's battery terminals with a voltage meter > > and it read 14.2 volts. When driving it home I heard a high pitch whine that > > seemed to come from under the hood. I took it to Autozone and had the > > charging system checked. They said the alternator was putting out 62 amps at > > 2000 rpm and 35 at idle. I think that should be good enough to keep the > > battery charged. Here in Arizona batteries are usually failing because of > > heat (bad cells). This acts like a bad cell to me. > > > > Thanks > > > > > |
Re: Alternator Output
So 62 amps is ok?
"Tony Hwang" <dragon40@shaw.ca> wrote in message news:cGgtb.393083$9l5.125757@pd7tw2no... > Hi, > Make sure you have good main ground connection from battery/alternator > to car chassis. Hot weather is harder on batteries than cold climate. > I live in Alberta. Used to go down to PHX a lot. (retired from > Honeywell). Once I suffered a bad battery on a new rental car. Battery > literally boiled over. > Tony > > MHolland wrote: > > > I bought a '92 Civic in August. Within a week the battery died. Since then I > > have replaced the computer, and the distributor. Today my daughter drove it > > to work. When she tried to drive it home the engine would not crank. I > > jumped it, and it started right up. After disconnecting the jumper cables I > > checked the voltage at the Civic's battery terminals with a voltage meter > > and it read 14.2 volts. When driving it home I heard a high pitch whine that > > seemed to come from under the hood. I took it to Autozone and had the > > charging system checked. They said the alternator was putting out 62 amps at > > 2000 rpm and 35 at idle. I think that should be good enough to keep the > > battery charged. Here in Arizona batteries are usually failing because of > > heat (bad cells). This acts like a bad cell to me. > > > > Thanks > > > > > |
Re: Alternator Output
So 62 amps is ok?
"Tony Hwang" <dragon40@shaw.ca> wrote in message news:cGgtb.393083$9l5.125757@pd7tw2no... > Hi, > Make sure you have good main ground connection from battery/alternator > to car chassis. Hot weather is harder on batteries than cold climate. > I live in Alberta. Used to go down to PHX a lot. (retired from > Honeywell). Once I suffered a bad battery on a new rental car. Battery > literally boiled over. > Tony > > MHolland wrote: > > > I bought a '92 Civic in August. Within a week the battery died. Since then I > > have replaced the computer, and the distributor. Today my daughter drove it > > to work. When she tried to drive it home the engine would not crank. I > > jumped it, and it started right up. After disconnecting the jumper cables I > > checked the voltage at the Civic's battery terminals with a voltage meter > > and it read 14.2 volts. When driving it home I heard a high pitch whine that > > seemed to come from under the hood. I took it to Autozone and had the > > charging system checked. They said the alternator was putting out 62 amps at > > 2000 rpm and 35 at idle. I think that should be good enough to keep the > > battery charged. Here in Arizona batteries are usually failing because of > > heat (bad cells). This acts like a bad cell to me. > > > > Thanks > > > > > |
Re: Alternator Output
So 62 amps is ok?
"Tony Hwang" <dragon40@shaw.ca> wrote in message news:cGgtb.393083$9l5.125757@pd7tw2no... > Hi, > Make sure you have good main ground connection from battery/alternator > to car chassis. Hot weather is harder on batteries than cold climate. > I live in Alberta. Used to go down to PHX a lot. (retired from > Honeywell). Once I suffered a bad battery on a new rental car. Battery > literally boiled over. > Tony > > MHolland wrote: > > > I bought a '92 Civic in August. Within a week the battery died. Since then I > > have replaced the computer, and the distributor. Today my daughter drove it > > to work. When she tried to drive it home the engine would not crank. I > > jumped it, and it started right up. After disconnecting the jumper cables I > > checked the voltage at the Civic's battery terminals with a voltage meter > > and it read 14.2 volts. When driving it home I heard a high pitch whine that > > seemed to come from under the hood. I took it to Autozone and had the > > charging system checked. They said the alternator was putting out 62 amps at > > 2000 rpm and 35 at idle. I think that should be good enough to keep the > > battery charged. Here in Arizona batteries are usually failing because of > > heat (bad cells). This acts like a bad cell to me. > > > > Thanks > > > > > |
Re: Alternator Output
On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 04:20:16 GMT, "MHolland"
<mhollandsprint@earthlink.net> scribbled: >So 62 amps is ok? It could be that the rectifier in the alternator itself is draining the battery while it's parked. Mine did that. It put out 14.3V while engine was idling, which was normal. >"Tony Hwang" <dragon40@shaw.ca> wrote in message >news:cGgtb.393083$9l5.125757@pd7tw2no... >> Hi, >> Make sure you have good main ground connection from battery/alternator >> to car chassis. Hot weather is harder on batteries than cold climate. >> I live in Alberta. Used to go down to PHX a lot. (retired from >> Honeywell). Once I suffered a bad battery on a new rental car. Battery >> literally boiled over. >> Tony >> >> MHolland wrote: >> >> > I bought a '92 Civic in August. Within a week the battery died. Since >then I >> > have replaced the computer, and the distributor. Today my daughter drove >it >> > to work. When she tried to drive it home the engine would not crank. I >> > jumped it, and it started right up. After disconnecting the jumper >cables I >> > checked the voltage at the Civic's battery terminals with a voltage >meter >> > and it read 14.2 volts. When driving it home I heard a high pitch whine >that >> > seemed to come from under the hood. I took it to Autozone and had the >> > charging system checked. They said the alternator was putting out 62 >amps at >> > 2000 rpm and 35 at idle. I think that should be good enough to keep the >> > battery charged. Here in Arizona batteries are usually failing because >of >> > heat (bad cells). This acts like a bad cell to me. >> > >> > Thanks >> > >> > >> > -- Phillip Weston Taumarunui, New Zealand Remove the obvious spamblock to reply via e-mail. |
Re: Alternator Output
On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 04:20:16 GMT, "MHolland"
<mhollandsprint@earthlink.net> scribbled: >So 62 amps is ok? It could be that the rectifier in the alternator itself is draining the battery while it's parked. Mine did that. It put out 14.3V while engine was idling, which was normal. >"Tony Hwang" <dragon40@shaw.ca> wrote in message >news:cGgtb.393083$9l5.125757@pd7tw2no... >> Hi, >> Make sure you have good main ground connection from battery/alternator >> to car chassis. Hot weather is harder on batteries than cold climate. >> I live in Alberta. Used to go down to PHX a lot. (retired from >> Honeywell). Once I suffered a bad battery on a new rental car. Battery >> literally boiled over. >> Tony >> >> MHolland wrote: >> >> > I bought a '92 Civic in August. Within a week the battery died. Since >then I >> > have replaced the computer, and the distributor. Today my daughter drove >it >> > to work. When she tried to drive it home the engine would not crank. I >> > jumped it, and it started right up. After disconnecting the jumper >cables I >> > checked the voltage at the Civic's battery terminals with a voltage >meter >> > and it read 14.2 volts. When driving it home I heard a high pitch whine >that >> > seemed to come from under the hood. I took it to Autozone and had the >> > charging system checked. They said the alternator was putting out 62 >amps at >> > 2000 rpm and 35 at idle. I think that should be good enough to keep the >> > battery charged. Here in Arizona batteries are usually failing because >of >> > heat (bad cells). This acts like a bad cell to me. >> > >> > Thanks >> > >> > >> > -- Phillip Weston Taumarunui, New Zealand Remove the obvious spamblock to reply via e-mail. |
Re: Alternator Output
On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 04:20:16 GMT, "MHolland"
<mhollandsprint@earthlink.net> scribbled: >So 62 amps is ok? It could be that the rectifier in the alternator itself is draining the battery while it's parked. Mine did that. It put out 14.3V while engine was idling, which was normal. >"Tony Hwang" <dragon40@shaw.ca> wrote in message >news:cGgtb.393083$9l5.125757@pd7tw2no... >> Hi, >> Make sure you have good main ground connection from battery/alternator >> to car chassis. Hot weather is harder on batteries than cold climate. >> I live in Alberta. Used to go down to PHX a lot. (retired from >> Honeywell). Once I suffered a bad battery on a new rental car. Battery >> literally boiled over. >> Tony >> >> MHolland wrote: >> >> > I bought a '92 Civic in August. Within a week the battery died. Since >then I >> > have replaced the computer, and the distributor. Today my daughter drove >it >> > to work. When she tried to drive it home the engine would not crank. I >> > jumped it, and it started right up. After disconnecting the jumper >cables I >> > checked the voltage at the Civic's battery terminals with a voltage >meter >> > and it read 14.2 volts. When driving it home I heard a high pitch whine >that >> > seemed to come from under the hood. I took it to Autozone and had the >> > charging system checked. They said the alternator was putting out 62 >amps at >> > 2000 rpm and 35 at idle. I think that should be good enough to keep the >> > battery charged. Here in Arizona batteries are usually failing because >of >> > heat (bad cells). This acts like a bad cell to me. >> > >> > Thanks >> > >> > >> > -- Phillip Weston Taumarunui, New Zealand Remove the obvious spamblock to reply via e-mail. |
Re: Alternator Output
On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 04:20:16 GMT, "MHolland"
<mhollandsprint@earthlink.net> scribbled: >So 62 amps is ok? It could be that the rectifier in the alternator itself is draining the battery while it's parked. Mine did that. It put out 14.3V while engine was idling, which was normal. >"Tony Hwang" <dragon40@shaw.ca> wrote in message >news:cGgtb.393083$9l5.125757@pd7tw2no... >> Hi, >> Make sure you have good main ground connection from battery/alternator >> to car chassis. Hot weather is harder on batteries than cold climate. >> I live in Alberta. Used to go down to PHX a lot. (retired from >> Honeywell). Once I suffered a bad battery on a new rental car. Battery >> literally boiled over. >> Tony >> >> MHolland wrote: >> >> > I bought a '92 Civic in August. Within a week the battery died. Since >then I >> > have replaced the computer, and the distributor. Today my daughter drove >it >> > to work. When she tried to drive it home the engine would not crank. I >> > jumped it, and it started right up. After disconnecting the jumper >cables I >> > checked the voltage at the Civic's battery terminals with a voltage >meter >> > and it read 14.2 volts. When driving it home I heard a high pitch whine >that >> > seemed to come from under the hood. I took it to Autozone and had the >> > charging system checked. They said the alternator was putting out 62 >amps at >> > 2000 rpm and 35 at idle. I think that should be good enough to keep the >> > battery charged. Here in Arizona batteries are usually failing because >of >> > heat (bad cells). This acts like a bad cell to me. >> > >> > Thanks >> > >> > >> > -- Phillip Weston Taumarunui, New Zealand Remove the obvious spamblock to reply via e-mail. |
Re: Alternator Output
You need to isolate the problem to the battery or a drain on the system.
A. To check the battery for bad cells, have it load tested at AutoZone with a resistive load. You can also pry off the inspection caps and measure the voltage of each cell with your voltmeter. The cell that reads a lot lower is the problem area. B. To check for loads that drain the battery while parked, try removing the fuses from the fuse block. See if the problem goes away. IF it does you need to figure out which circuit is "stuck on" Look at the brake lights, glove box light, etc. To see if the alternator is at fault, you will need to disconnect the wires while parked and see it the battery stays charged with your voltmeter. Good luck. "Phillip Weston" <phillip.weston@quicksilver.net.nz> wrote in message news:r9hbrvok1fp8e4l2o4fm5t188ot8lifdf5@4ax.com... > On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 04:20:16 GMT, "MHolland" > <mhollandsprint@earthlink.net> scribbled: > > >So 62 amps is ok? > > It could be that the rectifier in the alternator itself is draining > the battery while it's parked. Mine did that. It put out 14.3V while > engine was idling, which was normal. > > >"Tony Hwang" <dragon40@shaw.ca> wrote in message > >news:cGgtb.393083$9l5.125757@pd7tw2no... > >> Hi, > >> Make sure you have good main ground connection from battery/alternator > >> to car chassis. Hot weather is harder on batteries than cold climate. > >> I live in Alberta. Used to go down to PHX a lot. (retired from > >> Honeywell). Once I suffered a bad battery on a new rental car. Battery > >> literally boiled over. > >> Tony > >> > >> MHolland wrote: > >> > >> > I bought a '92 Civic in August. Within a week the battery died. Since > >then I > >> > have replaced the computer, and the distributor. Today my daughter drove > >it > >> > to work. When she tried to drive it home the engine would not crank. I > >> > jumped it, and it started right up. After disconnecting the jumper > >cables I > >> > checked the voltage at the Civic's battery terminals with a voltage > >meter > >> > and it read 14.2 volts. When driving it home I heard a high pitch whine > >that > >> > seemed to come from under the hood. I took it to Autozone and had the > >> > charging system checked. They said the alternator was putting out 62 > >amps at > >> > 2000 rpm and 35 at idle. I think that should be good enough to keep the > >> > battery charged. Here in Arizona batteries are usually failing because > >of > >> > heat (bad cells). This acts like a bad cell to me. > >> > > >> > Thanks > >> > > >> > > >> > > > > -- > Phillip Weston > Taumarunui, New Zealand > > Remove the obvious spamblock to reply via e-mail. |
Re: Alternator Output
You need to isolate the problem to the battery or a drain on the system.
A. To check the battery for bad cells, have it load tested at AutoZone with a resistive load. You can also pry off the inspection caps and measure the voltage of each cell with your voltmeter. The cell that reads a lot lower is the problem area. B. To check for loads that drain the battery while parked, try removing the fuses from the fuse block. See if the problem goes away. IF it does you need to figure out which circuit is "stuck on" Look at the brake lights, glove box light, etc. To see if the alternator is at fault, you will need to disconnect the wires while parked and see it the battery stays charged with your voltmeter. Good luck. "Phillip Weston" <phillip.weston@quicksilver.net.nz> wrote in message news:r9hbrvok1fp8e4l2o4fm5t188ot8lifdf5@4ax.com... > On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 04:20:16 GMT, "MHolland" > <mhollandsprint@earthlink.net> scribbled: > > >So 62 amps is ok? > > It could be that the rectifier in the alternator itself is draining > the battery while it's parked. Mine did that. It put out 14.3V while > engine was idling, which was normal. > > >"Tony Hwang" <dragon40@shaw.ca> wrote in message > >news:cGgtb.393083$9l5.125757@pd7tw2no... > >> Hi, > >> Make sure you have good main ground connection from battery/alternator > >> to car chassis. Hot weather is harder on batteries than cold climate. > >> I live in Alberta. Used to go down to PHX a lot. (retired from > >> Honeywell). Once I suffered a bad battery on a new rental car. Battery > >> literally boiled over. > >> Tony > >> > >> MHolland wrote: > >> > >> > I bought a '92 Civic in August. Within a week the battery died. Since > >then I > >> > have replaced the computer, and the distributor. Today my daughter drove > >it > >> > to work. When she tried to drive it home the engine would not crank. I > >> > jumped it, and it started right up. After disconnecting the jumper > >cables I > >> > checked the voltage at the Civic's battery terminals with a voltage > >meter > >> > and it read 14.2 volts. When driving it home I heard a high pitch whine > >that > >> > seemed to come from under the hood. I took it to Autozone and had the > >> > charging system checked. They said the alternator was putting out 62 > >amps at > >> > 2000 rpm and 35 at idle. I think that should be good enough to keep the > >> > battery charged. Here in Arizona batteries are usually failing because > >of > >> > heat (bad cells). This acts like a bad cell to me. > >> > > >> > Thanks > >> > > >> > > >> > > > > -- > Phillip Weston > Taumarunui, New Zealand > > Remove the obvious spamblock to reply via e-mail. |
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