General Maintenance & Repairs Leaks | Squeaks | Clunks | Rattles | Grinds
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Battery Draining

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 7, 2007 | 09:03 AM
  #1  
alw041's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
Default Battery Draining

My car has been running completely fine until yesterday. I went to go fill up on gas, and I notice that my battery gauge is around 10 volts. As i drive home the battery slowly goes down until it is at about 8 volts when i get into my driveway. I am getting a battery drain and have no idea why. Anyone know how to fix this or what to look for?
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2007 | 09:16 AM
  #2  
sixvi6-camaro's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 0
From: Schaumburg, IL
Default

sounds like the alternator is dead. Your voltage went low and ran the battery down because with the alternator not generating power for the car you were running off the battery alone.
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2007 | 09:21 AM
  #3  
alw041's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
Default

Anyway to test if it is my alternator?

I also noticed that this past couple weeks it looked like my battery gauge was reading high. Normal it is around 13-14, but it has been around 14-15 lately until yesterday.
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2007 | 09:30 AM
  #4  
MrEddie's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 418
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Tx
Default

I think autozone will do it for free while in the car.....
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2007 | 11:22 AM
  #5  
alw041's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Louisiana
Default

Alternator went bad b/c my powering steering pump was leaking onto the alternator. Now i am replacing my alternator and getting my power steering pump fixed....
Reply
Old Nov 13, 2007 | 09:35 PM
  #6  
VeitSSki8701's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Colonial Beach, VA
Default

to check for a bad alternator make sure your battery is fully charged while car is off. start the car and watch the battery's voltage if its 1-2 volts low and dropping. alternator is bad.
Use a voltage tester that reads you the measurements. a fluke 88 dmm is choice
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:53 AM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE