Help, battery issues!
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Help, battery issues!
I'm having a huge problem with my 93 Explorer. When I came out of the store today it would not start. Everything seemed ok until I turned the key, then I heard a bunch of clicking and then nothing. I had to get a jump. So as I'm driving home there are no problems, my gauge looks fine for charge so when I get home and shut it off it will not restart. Here's the kicker though, I am getting 17 volts off the battery with my meter. But it still acts like the battery is dead, nothing will work, but if I jump it it will start. I know my meter is good I checked it on some other things. So now I'm lost, I hate to buy a new battery because I'm not sure if mine is bad or not. Please Help!
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From: Big Red country
The starter is probably grounded through the frame. If the charging system is working correctly, than the battary could easily be the problem. A bad battary may not even take any charge at all. In fact, it could read 12V at rest but not be capable of putting out any current.
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From: Big Red country
There is something wrong with that battery. Take it to an auto parts store, they should be able to test it for you. Around here its free, they expect you to get the replacement from them of course.
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17 Volts on the bat with the engine off sounds really high to me. Have 3, 12v vehicles and none of them read that high, or even close when the engines are off. I'm used to the old stuff but is sounds like a voltage regulator to me. If it has one. Something ain't right if you're reading over 14v not running.
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From: Easton,Ks
Sounds like you have a Digital Meter and need to move the decimal point over one place.
I think you are reading 1.7 Volts and not 17 Volts. A Battery Cell is two volts and a Battery has 6 Cells. That comes to 12 Volts and a fully charged battery is about 13 to 13.5 VDC. An Alternator will put out form 14 to 14.5 Volts to charge the 12-Volt battery.
It is not possible to read 17 Volts on a Battery unless it is a special application Battery with more Cells.
I think you are reading 1.7 Volts and not 17 Volts. A Battery Cell is two volts and a Battery has 6 Cells. That comes to 12 Volts and a fully charged battery is about 13 to 13.5 VDC. An Alternator will put out form 14 to 14.5 Volts to charge the 12-Volt battery.
It is not possible to read 17 Volts on a Battery unless it is a special application Battery with more Cells.
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From: 3rd Rock
Originally Posted by jwford93
I'm having a huge problem with my 93 Explorer. When I came out of the store today it would not start. Everything seemed ok until I turned the key, then I heard a bunch of clicking and then nothing. I had to get a jump. So as I'm driving home there are no problems, my gauge looks fine for charge so when I get home and shut it off it will not restart. Here's the kicker though, I am getting 17 volts off the battery with my meter. But it still acts like the battery is dead, nothing will work, but if I jump it it will start. I know my meter is good I checked it on some other things. So now I'm lost, I hate to buy a new battery because I'm not sure if mine is bad or not. Please Help!
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From: Virginia
Originally Posted by subford
Sounds like you have a Digital Meter and need to move the decimal point over one place.
I think you are reading 1.7 Volts and not 17 Volts. A Battery Cell is two volts and a Battery has 6 Cells. That comes to 12 Volts and a fully charged battery is about 13 to 13.5 VDC. An Alternator will put out form 14 to 14.5 Volts to charge the 12-Volt battery.
It is not possible to read 17 Volts on a Battery unless it is a special application Battery with more Cells.
I think you are reading 1.7 Volts and not 17 Volts. A Battery Cell is two volts and a Battery has 6 Cells. That comes to 12 Volts and a fully charged battery is about 13 to 13.5 VDC. An Alternator will put out form 14 to 14.5 Volts to charge the 12-Volt battery.
It is not possible to read 17 Volts on a Battery unless it is a special application Battery with more Cells.
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Lynnwood, WA
Both 17V and 1.7V are unlikely readings, though I've measured over 18V on a badly sulfated battery after the charger (that was pumping out low amps, but over 30V) was removed. The term for that is "surface charge", but that will dissipate itself in a short time, or by turning the headlight on for a few seconds. As for 1.7V, even dead batteries usually measure more unless they are loaded, or have cells with internal shorts.
My suggestion would be is to check that meter first by measuring the voltage in a known good car -- when off, it's usually between 12V and 13V, when running it could go up to 14 - 15V, depending on the voltage regulator.
Then jumpstart your car and measure the voltge again on the battery. Stop car, then measure the voltage again. Turn on headlights, and measure it again a few times, once every minute.
My suggestion would be is to check that meter first by measuring the voltage in a known good car -- when off, it's usually between 12V and 13V, when running it could go up to 14 - 15V, depending on the voltage regulator.
Then jumpstart your car and measure the voltge again on the battery. Stop car, then measure the voltage again. Turn on headlights, and measure it again a few times, once every minute.