I just got a new battery to replace the one that died all of a sudden. I also replaced the negative battery terminal. I installed the battery and it read 12.64 volts.
When I came back in the morning. It read 12.54 volts. I then drove to school which is about 30 mins. away and measured it at school at which time it read 12.47 volts. And when I got home it read 12.34 volts.
I know the alternator is working because when I turn on the car and rev the engine the voltage jumps to around 13 volts.
The clock which was fully bright when I initially installed the battery is now dim.
What could the problem be? Shouldn't it be fully recharging the battery everytime I drive?
I'm also having one of those starting problem where all i get is a click until I try it a few times. I'm assume that it also has something to do with the battery.

Thanks in advance.

 

i would get the alternator checked out. the voltage when running should be 14.2 to 14.5 volts. also try checking the alternator belt that is is good and tight.

 

13.8 volts actaully is "normal"

 

the car just died on me
it wont start up and when i was driving it all the lights were dim until i reved the engine then they became bright, but now it just wont start

my belts are pretty old and are starting to crack. could it be the alternator belt?

 

I would have the alternator tested at a place that does it free like Schucks or Autozone.

I would also look at your battery cables and connections. Check both the positive and the ground wires, as well as the terminals. If they get corroded, they won't work properly. The wires can get corroded on the inside and you can't really even tell. That happened with my old Dodge truck. The battery wouldn't stay charged, but it had a pretty new alternator. I replaced the negative cable (totally green inside the plastic) and both of the terminal connectors and all of the electrical components worked great after that. Same battery, same alternator, it was like night and day.

 

i replaced the negative cable, i guess i should do the positive.
but im kinda leaning towards the belts. they are cracked beyond belief.
would a really old belt not turn the alternator as well?
it might explain a lot.

 

yeah, an old belt can slip and cause less ability to charge

 

oh ok, i'll try replacing the belts

 

i had what seemed to eb the exact same issuee and it was my positive terminal

 

So 13.8 volts with car running at idle

and

how much with the car off no acc on?

 

if its a terminal connection issue, u won't neccessarily see the problem through voltage readings. again, my readings were perfectly in range but that was because at the time the readings were taken, the connection was good....started driving to school and a few potholes killed my engine...then it started right back up again....never happened again since i put in the new terminals

 

Change your alternator, done deal. Don't forget your belt even though it's not the cause of your problem.