Running low on Volts

[minimikee]

Hey all,

Last night i was driving along and my dash lights appeared noticably dimmer. After looking more, every light was dimmer including the headlights, wipers were slower and the car cranks much slower as well.

I got it home and checked the voltage on the battery, it was pushing out 12.7V started it and rechecked the voltage at the battery and it read 10.5 and dropped to 10V and held there.

I'm fairly certain the alternator is dying, but im not entirely sure

[Kranzy]

Check when you kick the car over if the voltage stays nice and high, you might have dropped a cell in the battery.

[minimikee]

im pretty sure the voltage drops a little but not much ... if a cell has dropped wouldnt the voltage be low constantly??

[Kranzy]

not necessarily, i dropped one in mine and it only really effected it under load, as such.

[minimikee]

i just checked the voltages as it cranked, it dropped to approx 7V

I also checked the voltage at the alternator, it was only pushing out 9.98V

Isnt it ment to be showing just under 14??

[JelloBello]

Yeh, it should be showing between 13.5v and 14.5v (ish) when the engine is running.

The voltage drop when cranking the engine is perfectly normal.

Sounds like alternator to me, especially if the voltage is only 10V when the engine is running!

[minimikee]

yeah i thought so lol

My dad suggested it could just be the regulator ... is it possible to just replace the regulator or is it part of the alternator (that loom that plugs into it)

[BILL*69]

My altenator died, the battery showed 10V when running.

As for the alternator, if its still working slightly, wouldnt it be cheaper to rebuild it or whatever?

[minimikee]

i replace the alternator with a brand newie and it works good as new.

Thanks all