secs shows the car only holding 13.1 volts whilst running.. im assuming the altenator is on the way out


is there a better one than an esc cos std one? woul dlike to hold 14 if possible whilst running

its an optima battery aswell

 

add .5V to that, SECS generally reads 0.5 V below battery.

Try a Voltmeter across the battery

Also bear in mind this figure will be lower if lights etc are on or only just started the car, take it for a good 20 min drive (during the day) then see what it is with no lights stereo etc

 

naah, secs has always showed 13.8 ish untill recently

this is with just the engine running.

unless ive a current draw somewhere... but how to check that!?

 

Current draw will have to exceed 100amps to drag the voltage down. The alternator should cope with that before the battery volts start to drop off.

Start the car and leave to idle. Switch on the head lamps on main beam, heater fan, fog lights, and any other electrical load except the stereo and see what the voltage reads at the battery. Increase the revs to 1500 rpm and se what it reads then.

 

daz , will do

 

Having thought about it, a new 90A regulator is only about Ł30 ish so it wouldn't hurt to replace it. Chances are the old reg may be struggling.

Make sure you get a 90A reg and not a 60A reg as most reconned Cossie alternators seem to end up being. 60A is not enough to run a Cossies electrical systems.

 

asking a silly question Daz.. whats the reg? and if its servicable.. where do I buy a new one?

 

Most alternator remanufacturers/reconditioners should be able to sell you one Dave.

It's the main unit which regulates the current/voltage that the alternator outputs. Unfortunately they come in alsorts of various different sizes and designs so they are not easy to describe over the net.

I am not sure but if they are a lucas alternator then they will be a black plastic body with an aluminium cap held on by 3 x 5.5mm bolts and is obviously a seperate unit to the alternator when you look at it.