Battery drain?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 20,637
Likes: 37
From: Lost in Pa.
Update: the alternator passed a bench test.
The battery drain test produced the following reading: 1.6 on the DMM (200ma setting). Does that mean 160 milliamps?
I was honestly hoping the alternator test would have been a fail, and thus problem solved, easy fix. But nooo... not my lucky day. I don't understand why the alternator passed the bench test, but the voltage reading at the batteries when the vehicles running is only 11.8v.
I guess my next step is to have the batteries load tested.
Note: strange noise when you spin the alternator, sounds like there is a leaf in there or something. Going to get a flashlight on it and have a good look.
The battery drain test produced the following reading: 1.6 on the DMM (200ma setting). Does that mean 160 milliamps?
I was honestly hoping the alternator test would have been a fail, and thus problem solved, easy fix. But nooo... not my lucky day. I don't understand why the alternator passed the bench test, but the voltage reading at the batteries when the vehicles running is only 11.8v.
I guess my next step is to have the batteries load tested.
Note: strange noise when you spin the alternator, sounds like there is a leaf in there or something. Going to get a flashlight on it and have a good look.
I have had the whole system load tested batteries and alternator.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 12,253
Likes: 763
From: Houston, Texas
I had a battery drain problem a few years ago and come to find out it was loose battery connections. The factory connections couldn't stay tight anymore, so I hacked them off and replaced them with some Zinc terminals and I haven't had a problem since.
Make sure your connections are "goodntight" as the German's put it.
Make sure your connections are "goodntight" as the German's put it.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Hey guys, thanks for all the good info. I just read on another post that the psd doesn't turn on the alternator until after the glow plugs turn off. That may explain why my voltage reading it was only 11.8, I didn't let the engine run long enough.
Can anyone verify this?
I'm going to test this again later, will let you know. Also going to take the batteries out first though and have them load test. I am now beginning to believe that bad batteries are the problem.
Can anyone verify this?
I'm going to test this again later, will let you know. Also going to take the batteries out first though and have them load test. I am now beginning to believe that bad batteries are the problem.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 2
From: D.C. but heart's in TEXAS
Hey guys, thanks for all the good info. I just read on another post that the psd doesn't turn on the alternator until after the glow plugs turn off. That may explain why my voltage reading it was only 11.8, I didn't let the engine run long enough.
Can anyone verify this?
I'm going to test this again later, will let you know. Also going to take the batteries out first though and have them load test. I am now beginning to believe that bad batteries are the problem.
Can anyone verify this?
I'm going to test this again later, will let you know. Also going to take the batteries out first though and have them load test. I am now beginning to believe that bad batteries are the problem.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Final update, 1 of the batteries was dead. Replaced both batteries. Alternator is charging fine. Its still the orig alt with 111k, so I'm sure I'll be replacing it soon.
Lesson I learned here is to test each and battery individually as the first step.
Thanks all for your advice and help.
Lesson I learned here is to test each and battery individually as the first step.
Thanks all for your advice and help.
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