My 2000 2.2L Cav seems to have an issue starting. I went to start it and found the battery was dead, no click...click...click, nothing. I jumped the car to get it started and it fired up fine. I took a reading on a voltmeter when it was dead the voltage was 3.5Volts. Once I jumped the car I took another reading and that read 12.3 volts. I don't have a battery charger so I left the car running still connected to the doner car for about 20 mins. I then disconnected the jumper cables fully and turned off the car. I restarted the car and it started fine. I measured the voltage again and it read 14.4 volts under it's own power.
This is the second time in 2 days i've had the battery go dead on me. The battery has a electrolyte eye that is supposed to be green in colour, but it's not lit at all, just looks black.
Do you guys think the battery is dead or could it be the alternator?
I didn't have any battery light or whatever the symbol is on the dash while the car was under it's own power....
Advice?
Ryan1
it could be the battery.
when the car doesn't start, remove the battery and take it to advance or somewhere else that could test the battery for you.
if the battery is dead, then it may have a dead cell.
The machines that auto parts stores use need the battery to be charged in order to test, which they can do for you as well.
If it's reading 14.4V when running, then your alternator is working properly. You could try putting the battery on a slow charger overnight to see if you can revive it somewhat, but usually once the eye stays dark, that's the "time for a new battery" indicator. The battery should sit at 12.6V under no load, when the car is not running and it's properly charged. Anything less is a sign of trouble.
I would replace it soon - save the wear on your alternator.
John
When i took the voltage withthe ca running it was 14.78. I compared this to another cavilier and it was the same. I guess i will get the alternator tested and teh battery
Ryan1
well 1 way to check the alternator is to fire up the car, and disconnect the battery. if its still running, the alternator is fine, if it stalls out, well you have a bad alternator.
Please don't disconnect the battery with the engine running.
This used to be a way to check things in the days of generators, before alternators.
Nowadays it's a good way to see how many diodes/electronics etc you can blow.
For some reason this way of "Testing" just doesn't seem to die.
[When i took the voltage with the car running it was 14.78.] Your Alternator is working correctly {As John S said}-----14.8 volts is the spec from my '93 works manual.
I assume you took this reading at the Battery terminals--this means you have tested all the charging system up to the Battery, which is the only thing left.
John S/Robby/Shawn are right on-replace the battery--or have it tested and replace it
Alont
Thanks everyone for the replys
Ryan1
I usually do the test where I hold my multimeter (set to volts) on the batery terminals to get a reading... and while I'm holding them there... I have someone start the car and I see if the voltage goes up from the charging system kicking in........ if you know how to read a voltmeter and know enough about charging systems... you can tell the differences between a charging problem by taking a reading off of the terminals....
Your problem just seems to be a bad battery.... I'm willing to bet that if you just replace it and call it a day... you'll be fine.
Today when I went to start the car it wouldn't turn, I measured the battery voltage and it was 3V. I jumped the battery again to get it started, and measured at the terminals and the voltage read 14.8V. I replaced the battery to see what happens in a nother few days. I'm pretty sure it's the battery. I will keep you all posted.
Ryan1
Went outside and took reading at the terminals with the car off, voltage read 12.36 volts. this is the same as yesterdays reading. Car started up fine. I'm sure it was the battery.
Ryan1
