General battery problems

[mollypeanut]

hi ive been jump starting my car for about a week now car starting ok but now theres nowt ave i killed the battery

 

[Plippy]

When the car is running do you have any symbols on your dashboard?

One that looks like a battery....

 

[mollypeanut]

yes there was 1 but theres nothing lighting up on the dash now the car has ad jumpstart after jumpstart cuz not been using me car

 

[Plippy]

if the battery light was burning on your dashboard, that is usually a big sign that your car is only running on the batter... Meaning that your Alternator is dudd.

You need to replace your alternator, Charge the battery and you should be fine.

 

[Plippy]

if you want to find out if the alternator is dudd you can take it off and run a volt meter on the pin and to the alternator shell....While rotating it, It Should give high voltage

 

[blu73]

no don't do that... just start the car and measure the voltage across the battery with a multimeter.

You should have 13.5-14.5 ish volts with the car running. And just over 12v with the engine not running (assuming the battery isn't flat). If its much lower then your battery isn't charging properly and will eventually just run out.. If its too much over that it will damage the battery.

 

[Plippy]

And also if you see a symbol of a battery on your dashboard, This is a Clear sign that your car is only running on the battery.

Meaning that your alternator is dead.

 

[blu73]

And also if you see a symbol of a battery on your dashboard, This is a Clear sign that your car is only running on the battery.

Meaning that your alternator is dead.

it could just be a loose wire, if it not charging - don't start pulling the car apart without diagnosing fully

 

[Plippy]

Let us know what your results where and if its sorted. =]

 

[gedq]

Is that cast iron? The red battery light = dead alternator? Because I've got it but both the AA and my friendly local mechanic (who hasn't killed me so far) swear the alternator's fine.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Is that cast iron? The red battery light = dead alternator? Because I've got it but both the AA and my friendly local mechanic (who hasn't killed me so far) swear the alternator's fine.

Just indicates a fault within the charging circuit. Could be anything, including a failed diode etc.

 

[fingers99]

Or even a duff battery.

Many, many, motor factors will test a battery for free. You'll not have the equipment to do that. Testing the alternator, on the other hand, is easy DIY, as Blue says.