wyo

New to me 03 6TT - the car has only ben driven about 2 K in the last 4 years - Volt meter runs between 13 and 13.5 but battery ran low- battery tested bad - replaced battery but during a PPI the tech told me that the altamater will need to be replaced due to gauge reading around 13
did a search and it looks like this reading is normal, manual says between 12 and 16 is normal
is between 13 and 14 normal or average?

993GT

perfect

"02996ttx50

perfect x2 lol.

mine always sits at 13.8 no load. 13-13.5 with a full load ( ac/lights/radio etc ) this w a "new" bosch.

Kevinmacd

You might just want to consider changing only the voltage regulator. Its located on the back of the alternator. Cheaper way to go, thats usually all it is!
Secondly run the car and put a voltmeter on the battery terminals, both no load and full load( lights, AC, radio). If that checks out okay! Suggest you get a battery maintainer when the car is not being used!

Macster

Between a bit over 13 and to just under 14 is where my Turbo volt meter needle hangs out. Near 14 after an engine start with no other electrical loads. Down closer to 13V after the engine has been running a while and with possibly extra electrical loads like headlights or the A/C is on. Been that way ever since I bought the car back in 2009.

Keep in mind too the in-dash volt meter may not offer that precise a reading. I have not bothered to "calibrate" my car's in-dash volt meter by taking voltmeter readings and comparing the two readings.

My experience is these cars are harder on batteries. The car needs to be driven frequently and for some distance to keep the battery toppe up (or a quality battery maintainer needs to be used.) I have found using the car at least twice a week using the car for my work commute 30 miles each way with most miles at highway speeds keeps the battery topped up. Where I live/park my Turbo a battery maintainer is not an option.

Be sure you do not leave anything plugged into the car while it is parked. No phone charger. No NAV power adapter. Be sure you lock the car. This puts the car's electronics in the lowest power mode soonest.

If you start the engine this depletes the battery some. Less in warmer weather. More in colder weather. To replenish the battery the car must be driven a while. You can can tell when the battery is replenished by the volt meter reading. Initially the voltage reading will be high. ~14V. This assumes the headlights and AC are off.

After some minutes of driving -- 15 or more (in colder weather) -- the voltage will drop some. This is a sign the battery has been topped up.

If you use the car for short hops the battery never gets fully topped up and this shortens its life.

"02996ttx50

good info!

i have always wondered....

btw.. OP..after what your mechanic has told you? i'd trust my alternator more than that mechanic..if you have no issue beyond a dead or low battery? swap that. why swap the alt unless ALL batteries refuse to hold a charge(!) i'd wait a bit since your readings appear to be well within *normal* range.

wyo

Thank you all
i replaced the battery and I am planning on DD the car and hope that that's all that was needed - I budgeted a alternator replacement- I will update this post in a week or so

RngTrtl

These cars are habitual offends of leaking current when not used. best advice is keep a battery maintainer on it.

Ck986

Mine is between 13.5 14. I replaced the alternator, but what solved by battery draining was the ignition switch.

Kevinmacd

You dont need an alternator, if it proves the alt is short on output. Replace the voltage regulator. Its an easy cheaper fix, and is the problem 90% of the time.

http://www.autohausaz.com/search/pn....ingSKU_porsche

highlander

+1. Learned the hard way.
My car lasts about a week sitting in my garage before needing a helping hand to get it started.

Oh, almost forgot. Congrats on the new ride. Drive it in good health and keep the shiny side up!!!!

napoleon1981

Lock the car, brings the drain way down. Mine sits for a month just fine.