drsrst2zvh

Right the last couple of times ive gone out to start my saph the battery has been flat, so ive done the normal checks and found the interior light to be satying on so ive repaired that but still have the same problem if its left for a day or 2 but i have noticed with it running im only getting a reading of 13.4 volts at the battery so am i right in thinking the alternator has packed up ? or not as good as it should be especially with this weather, lights fan etc all on at once it cant keep up with the demand ?

C4llyT

The voltage regulator should keep it between 13.5 - 14.5 volts.
Amps will rise and fall depending on how full battery is and what you're powering.

diamond white

I think im right in saying that you wont get the full potential of the alternator untill its got more life in the battery. Have the batery checked with a high discharge meter this will show up any weakness, you might have one duff cell.

Secondly get your hands on a amp meter. With engine off lock the car in the normal way but ensuring that the bonnet is up, and if fitted rig the bonnet alarm switch to the closed position. Remove the earth on the battery and put the amp meter in series. If you find that you a current flow of several amps then this is your leak. It is normal to have some leakage but this should be milli amps, ie clock etc. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO START THE ENGINE IN THIS CONDITION. Happy hunting.

drsrst2zvh

cheers for the replies guy's, ive gone all through the relays etc and nothing is staying on and only a tiny spark from one of the fuses which runs the clock and interior light, i did find the negative battery lead to be slightly loose on teh battery so ive done that up, left the car for a while and gone back to it and it seems to spin up alot quicker now so lets hope that was my problem !

foreigneRS

if you need a battery, i have one in basingstoke that is free for collection

drsrst2zvh

trouble is the battery i have is only six months old, but i'll keep it in mind

saphycozzie-adz

iTrader: (10)

you checked the little light in the boot? , my saff was draining the battery in 2/3 days and this was the fault.

coswurv

iTrader: (8)

yeah i checked it, i closed the boot with the back seat down and it was defo off but i'll double check

NEEDFORSPEED

13.4v is fine mate. if you havnt charged your battery since you fixed the other fault/battery was flat then it may just be that. you CANNOT properly charge the battery off the alternator it is really to top it up. stick it on charge for 24hrs and go from there. people normally overlook this - ok it will charge it up if jump started etc but will never bring the battery up properly