Bad Alternator?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 124
Likes: 49
Bad Alternator?
2013 C2S. I installed a new battery about 6 months ago and always keep it on a battery tender as the car will sit during the week most of the time. Everything has been fine until a few weeks ago I noticed that my voltage is always fluctuating when driving when in the past it has always stayed relatively steady once the car warmed up. Concerning is how the voltage is spiking in the high 14 range when I hit the brakes in regular mode. When switching to Sport mode the voltage stays more steady.
I am now hearing a weird noise when I get in the car. When I turn the key to the accessory position and the usual startup sequence starts (headlights adjust, dash lights up) I hear this noise from what sounds like the driver's side rear of the car. I does not happen every time. I embedded a clip of the sound...it kind of sounds like a drill. The car has NOT been started when this sound comes on nor am I attempting to start...just turning the key to the accessory position. With these two symptoms do I have a bad alternator on my hands? Any other thoughts? Thanks!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rf0...ew?usp=sharing
I am now hearing a weird noise when I get in the car. When I turn the key to the accessory position and the usual startup sequence starts (headlights adjust, dash lights up) I hear this noise from what sounds like the driver's side rear of the car. I does not happen every time. I embedded a clip of the sound...it kind of sounds like a drill. The car has NOT been started when this sound comes on nor am I attempting to start...just turning the key to the accessory position. With these two symptoms do I have a bad alternator on my hands? Any other thoughts? Thanks!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rf0...ew?usp=sharing
Pro
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 571
Likes: 84
From: SoCal
2013 C2S. I installed a new battery about 6 months ago and always keep it on a battery tender as the car will sit during the week most of the time. Everything has been fine until a few weeks ago I noticed that my voltage is always fluctuating when driving when in the past it has always stayed relatively steady once the car warmed up. Concerning is how the voltage is spiking in the high 14 range when I hit the brakes in regular mode. When switching to Sport mode the voltage stays more steady.
I am now hearing a weird noise when I get in the car. When I turn the key to the accessory position and the usual startup sequence starts (headlights adjust, dash lights up) I hear this noise from what sounds like the driver's side rear of the car. I does not happen every time. I embedded a clip of the sound...it kind of sounds like a drill. The car has NOT been started when this sound comes on nor am I attempting to start...just turning the key to the accessory position. With these two symptoms do I have a bad alternator on my hands? Any other thoughts? Thanks!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rf0...ew?usp=sharing
I am now hearing a weird noise when I get in the car. When I turn the key to the accessory position and the usual startup sequence starts (headlights adjust, dash lights up) I hear this noise from what sounds like the driver's side rear of the car. I does not happen every time. I embedded a clip of the sound...it kind of sounds like a drill. The car has NOT been started when this sound comes on nor am I attempting to start...just turning the key to the accessory position. With these two symptoms do I have a bad alternator on my hands? Any other thoughts? Thanks!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rf0...ew?usp=sharing
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 830
Likes: 142
2013 C2S. I installed a new battery about 6 months ago and always keep it on a battery tender as the car will sit during the week most of the time. Everything has been fine until a few weeks ago I noticed that my voltage is always fluctuating when driving when in the past it has always stayed relatively steady once the car warmed up. Concerning is how the voltage is spiking in the high 14 range when I hit the brakes in regular mode. When switching to Sport mode the voltage stays more steady.
I am now hearing a weird noise when I get in the car. When I turn the key to the accessory position and the usual startup sequence starts (headlights adjust, dash lights up) I hear this noise from what sounds like the driver's side rear of the car. I does not happen every time. I embedded a clip of the sound...it kind of sounds like a drill. The car has NOT been started when this sound comes on nor am I attempting to start...just turning the key to the accessory position. With these two symptoms do I have a bad alternator on my hands? Any other thoughts? Thanks!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rf0...ew?usp=sharing
I am now hearing a weird noise when I get in the car. When I turn the key to the accessory position and the usual startup sequence starts (headlights adjust, dash lights up) I hear this noise from what sounds like the driver's side rear of the car. I does not happen every time. I embedded a clip of the sound...it kind of sounds like a drill. The car has NOT been started when this sound comes on nor am I attempting to start...just turning the key to the accessory position. With these two symptoms do I have a bad alternator on my hands? Any other thoughts? Thanks!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rf0...ew?usp=sharing
If your voltage didn’t rise above 12.4 volts while running you would definitely have a bad alternator. Hopefully I recreated your scenario. I left my driver door open and depressed the brake peddle and turned the key to ACC without cranking the engine and I heard a number of relays activate and electrical contacts close. The drill-like sound was noticeable and stopped within two seconds. I believe your car is operating normally.
