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#1
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Odd Electrical Problem
Three warning lights on the dash came on during the commute home today, battery, brake pads and brake light. After doing a few things around the house, I went out to start the car and nothing, not even one single crank. I stuck the multimeter on the battery and it read something like 11.64. Mind you, I just replaced the alternator last summer. So I decided to clean the connectoins on the battery and where the ground connects to the body. By the way, I also replaced the battery last summer also. I stuck the charger on the battery for a couple of hours and it got up to something like 13.74. Disconnected the charger and she popped right off. I ran a couple of errands with the lights on and the tunes a blaren'. I got home and checked the charge and it was at 12.64! I should also add that I checked the tension on the belt and it was as tight as the day I put it on. I also checked the connections on the alternator, fine. Could I possibly have a bad battery after only one year? Shouldn't the battery be at about 13.9-14.00? I should probably add that I replaced the ignition switch last summer, so that should probably rule that out. I also replaced the starter in december, so I doubt that's drawing any current. Anybody out there that can think of anything else?
Scott
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1981 300D non-turbo 263,000 mi |
#2
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hows the water level in the battery? that can kill a battery very quickly if low. what brand alt. did you install? was it a reman? remans often go bad after very little time. i put 3 reman starters (under warrenty) in my mazda before i realized i just needed to spring for the new one.
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have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it |
#3
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A well charged battery should read very close to 12.9 volts with the engine off. The alternator is going to put out something above 12.9 volts so the battery charges while driving depending on load.
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#4
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Yeah, I checked the water levels too. One cell was abou half full, so I topped it off. The pther five were fine. The starter was a reman. I hope I don't have to go through that again!!!!!!!
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1981 300D non-turbo 263,000 mi |
#5
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how about the alt.? was it a reman? autozone offers free charging and staring system tests. it will tell the problem.
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have no worries.....President Obama swears "If you like your gun, you can keep it |
#6
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how bad were the battery terminals and the ground? They can crap up to the point they stop the flow of electricity...make you think bad alternator, battery, or starter when it is just the C&C Factor (crap and corrosion).
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Mark 1983 300TD Wagon Even a broken watch is right twice a day |
#7
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Sounds like you have already fixed the charge problem. I always thought a fully charged battery read 12.6 volts with the engine not running. 13.5 volts plus to no more than 14.2 volts perhaps indicating charging system is working normally with engine running. Just my experience.
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