I dont think they are conected probably just a coincidence but after washing my engine this weekend which i do every few months since day one and its 118K now. She cranks and will start and once she starts she runs like a top smooth as glass. Just wondering whats causing my hard starting. My batt voltage engine off is 12.6 and while running my batt voltage is 13.7-13.9 at high idle 1200rpm. While cranking though the voltage drops all the way down to 9.2 or so. Does anyone know what the starter should be drawing amp wise so I can rule problem cases out. The Batteries are AutoZone yellow top 1000cca and are 2.5 years old. I have a 3 year warranty on them so thats not a problem. I just want to make sure I am not drawing to much starter wise and alt is charing enough. I think part of the problem could be that I only drive about 8mi to work and 8mi home according to my CS Monitor though the coolant does get up to temp for about 5 min before I shut it down so that means it should be long enough to re-charge the batts. It doesnt help that I am florida with the heat on the truck all day though. Autozone is going to test while I am there but just wanted to have some reference numbers before I go. Also anyone think that there could be a reason the wash could make it hard start. It just cranks real slow and then faster and faster till it starts.
I always cover the alt and the computer with plastic grocery bags.
Thanks alot.

 

sounds to me like a coincedence but your batts are low in charge right now charge them before load testing or you will get false results also you can not do accurate st hoprater draw test unless batts are fully charged iwould also check batt conections at batts do they get hot to touch when cranking you can do a volt drop test at batt conections

 

Well I just went to AutoZone at lunch and we disconected both batteries and test both and both were found to be bad according to their machine. They did not test alternator or starter. Replaced both batteries and now while driving I am seeing 13.2-13.5 on my edge insight cs . Seems a little bit low in my opinion. I thought these alts put out 14.1v. If they do isnt that what I should read on my insight or something close. I know not at idle but at 1200 I would think it should be higher.

 

Lots of times, bad batteries take out good alternators! Sounds like this is the time to check/replace yours. Don't wait until it kills your new batteries.

 

I will have to do an alternator test I guess. This is the second alternator that the truck has seen its the 140amp single. I was guessing as to the volts that I should see at the battery but does anyone know what I should be seeing at the battery at high idle.

 

13.2 is fine. I will see as high as 14.1 when it's charging, but once the batteries are charged I see right around 13.2 to 13.4.

 

Minimum to completely charge battery is 13.8v - mine is more like 14.3- 14.7 right AFTER starting. NOTE, I do have a dual alternator setup from factory.

 

I will do my best to full field the alternator tonight when I get home. Compressor for train horns, stereo going with 2 amps air on high lights on and see what kinda voltage the alternator is putting out.

 

David is correct. When my batteries are fully charged I too will be around 13.1 to 13.4. When they need it the charge will jump to the high 13, low 14's. And yes I have had the alt. tested at the dealer ship. My batteries static voltage after sitting overnight is 12.7.

 

Great thanks for the info. I think i am good right now. My alternator is def pumping out some amps between the compressor taking 30amps the blower motor for the AC taking 25amps, and the stereo taking atleast 40-60 i am already using oer 100amps just there without the trucks computers and everything else. I just called Sears and they want 19.99 to test the alternator. I pass one on the way home, you think its worth it. I am thinking maybe only because I dont want to ruin my new batts.

 

Auto Zone checks them for free. I'd recommend having them do it off the truck however.

 

Yeah I went to them for the batteries because thats where i had gotten them so my warranty was there. They did test the batteries and found them to be bad but the guy said he didnt have the machine at the time to hook up to the alternator waire and test amp output and current output. Thats why I was thinking of stopping at my local sears on the way home.

 

Ok so I stopped at Sears on the way home and well my alternator is good putting out 14.1 at the back of the terminal but my starter drew 524amps. That to me seems like alot but then again it is a 12v system. I could see it being alot it it was a 24v. However the truck starts like a top now but does anyone know what actual normal average amp draw is on this starter.

Thanks

 

According to my service manual, normal current draw is 365 amps. Maximum current draw is 1300 amps.

Yours is above normal, but no where near maximum. There are going to be a lot of things that are going to have an effect on the amp draw, but I don't think yours is anything to worry about.

 

The voltage drop at starting like that with good batteries often is a sign of the starter getting ready to go.