help - battery or alternator

[jimblive]

my car died on me last night. i stopped after driving for about 20mins, went to start the car and the battery was dead. had to get the wife to come out so i could jump start it.

the battery had nothing at all but im not sure if its dead or the alternator has gone and not charging the battery (the battery is less than 12months old).

is there anyway of knowing ifs its a dead battery or a knackered alternator? or is a case of charging the battery and see if it drains again?

 

[richie_jones]

I think if you use a multimeter on the battery when the engines running you should get a decent 14 volts ish, if your alternators goosed youll get less than 12... Heard this somewhere but not sure

 

[Lagerlout]

Quote: Originally posted by richie_jones on 16 October 2003

I think if you use a multimeter on the battery when the engines running you should get a decent 14 volts ish, if your alternators goosed youll get less than 12... Heard this somewhere but not sure

Not far from the truth. Test you battery @ tickover and then test with lights, heaters, blower on etc and if you alternator is knackered the voltage will drop considerably.

 

[jimblive]

so if i get it started again and put all the electrics on and the voltage drops loads i know its the alternator not the battery?

 

[Tony]

Yup!!! Mine went a few weeks ago done the exact same thing!

If ya need an alternator someone as got one in the for sale section!!

 

[Chris1.4RT]

Lots of these smaller discount auto stores will offer you a free battery check with a multimeter.