Tough starts
08-10-2017, 10:31 AM
#16
Captain Obvious
Super User
Super User
08-10-2017, 10:45 AM
#17
08-10-2017, 10:51 AM
#18
Team Owner
( basically you connect an ammeter between the positive side of the battey and the positive lead and put the ammeter in the middle . ) and see how much current is going through the meter while your car is just sitting there.
For example my car is 15ma as I have an older car and there is only the clock and radio memory .
yours MAY tell a different story.
if this is the case you battery will test fine and your alternator will work fine , but while you are not driving it, the drain will slowly kill your battery .
08-10-2017, 03:07 PM
#19
hmmm you said after you drove it around for a bit it then started fine , which would tell me the alternator is in fact charging . have you checked for a parasitic drain ?
( basically you connect an ammeter between the positive side of the battey and the positive lead and put the ammeter in the middle . ) and see how much current is going through the meter while your car is just sitting there.
For example my car is 15ma as I have an older car and there is only the clock and radio memory .
yours MAY tell a different story.
if this is the case you battery will test fine and your alternator will work fine , but while you are not driving it, the drain will slowly kill your battery .
( basically you connect an ammeter between the positive side of the battey and the positive lead and put the ammeter in the middle . ) and see how much current is going through the meter while your car is just sitting there.
For example my car is 15ma as I have an older car and there is only the clock and radio memory .
yours MAY tell a different story.
if this is the case you battery will test fine and your alternator will work fine , but while you are not driving it, the drain will slowly kill your battery .
I know how to test this. Its only my 4th time trouble shootting this but I appreciate the pointers.
1- Replace Voltage Regulator after testing showed that was the culprit (4 years ago)
2- Slow start when hot, more alternator and battery testing - replace Y Cable
3- Voltage was jumping everywhere - more testing, determined Alternator Pulley clutch was done. Replaced alternator pulley.
4 - Battery light kept coming on, replaced with new Bosch Alternator
Back at it again....I hope its just a bad alternator....or maybe a ground as that hasn't been thoroughly checked since the 4.0 went in.
08-10-2017, 04:02 PM
#21
Team Owner
No, it dies if I don't re-charge the battery. Battery tests at 13.2 volts when out of the car. Its running below 12V while car is driving, so I know the alternator is doing diddly squat.
I know how to test this. Its only my 4th time trouble shootting this but I appreciate the pointers.
1- Replace Voltage Regulator after testing showed that was the culprit (4 years ago)
2- Slow start when hot, more alternator and battery testing - replace Y Cable
3- Voltage was jumping everywhere - more testing, determined Alternator Pulley clutch was done. Replaced alternator pulley.
4 - Battery light kept coming on, replaced with new Bosch Alternator
Back at it again....I hope its just a bad alternator....or maybe a ground as that hasn't been thoroughly checked since the 4.0 went in.
I know how to test this. Its only my 4th time trouble shootting this but I appreciate the pointers.
1- Replace Voltage Regulator after testing showed that was the culprit (4 years ago)
2- Slow start when hot, more alternator and battery testing - replace Y Cable
3- Voltage was jumping everywhere - more testing, determined Alternator Pulley clutch was done. Replaced alternator pulley.
4 - Battery light kept coming on, replaced with new Bosch Alternator
Back at it again....I hope its just a bad alternator....or maybe a ground as that hasn't been thoroughly checked since the 4.0 went in.
oh I see the issue , you are not the OP , you hijacked someone else's thread.
yeah if you have 12 at idle your alt/reg is definitely toast. What car is it ?
08-10-2017, 06:51 PM
#24
Team Owner
Originally Posted by AWDGuy
Porsche 996 - NA 4.0
08-10-2017, 10:59 PM
#25
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the feedback guys! Appreciate your input.
Last edited by ggrace; 08-11-2017 at 11:10 AM.
08-11-2017, 11:08 AM
#26
Captain Obvious
Super User
Super User
The alternator is actually fairly easy to remove on the 996. I removed mine once with the engine in and twice with the engine out.
Last edited by Imo000; 08-11-2017 at 04:30 PM.
08-15-2017, 10:12 AM
#28
And looks like my new alternator was bad out of the box....the new one is charging at 14.4V while running.
10-26-2017, 06:35 PM
#30
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Had the car in for Winter prep and it turns out a previous owner had a Boomerang that was sucking power while the car was off/parked.
That was disconnected and voila! New battery in and we should be good!
That was disconnected and voila! New battery in and we should be good!
Last edited by ggrace; 10-26-2017 at 09:55 PM.