97 Maxima......

What should you read across the battery with the car running? I wa expecting to see, at least 13.5 or so volts but am only getting about 12.9 running and about 12.4 with the car off, dosen't seem like enough to me.

I had the alternator replaced under the recall about a year ago.......What is the general consensus on what it should be putting out volt wise? (oh and got a nice new wrench they left under the hood somewhere, it fell out a month ago after being somewhere under the hood for almost a YEAR!)
TIA
John

 

lucky 13 running

 

Go to Autozone and get hte batt and alternator tested.

 

Your numbers are correct. You typically wont see higher voltage unless at high RPMs. At idle those number are pretty much what they should be.

Was there a problem with the Alt that you were checking? Have you checked amperage or just voltage?

--Don

 

13.1 here.

 

Hi,
Had a cheapie power plug multiplier (you know, turns 1 power plug into 3) that has a little batt. condition indicator. Suffice it to say it did not read as expected so I put a multimeter on it and found those numbers, never had the alternator lamp come on, never had any indication that there was anything wrong with the charging system (other than the cheapie indicator) DID have the alternator replaced under the recall tho......I have no complaints other than the normal ones everybody else has....lamps dimming at idle etc.....LOTS of extra amps and other power draws and such, so I guess it is to be expected. Battery is new as in 2 days old (put mine in my wifes Lexus, and put a newer higher CCA batt in mine just a couple of days ago.) Just thought the numbers were a might low compared to the voltages I have seen on my domestic autos.

I DO know that my 280Z had a problem with overcharging and that it would boil acid out of the battery and it would run down the frame rail on the passenger (or wa it drivers side....ummmm.....been so long ago I forget) side, rotting out that frame rail (if you are ever looking for a Z to restore of that vintage, mine was a 78, ALWAYS look at the frame rail, it was a know problem with them)

Thanks for the replies, based on others indications, I am probably OK, as I said I have no problems with the cars charging system at this point. Just that dam cheapie indicator, so thought I would see what others were getting....
Thanks
2Maximas