Wassup guys,

I have a rather odd issue. Here's what a normal day looks like in the am when I go crank my car;

-Start the car, Interceptor powers up, reads anywhere from 10.9-11.5 volts, runs for a second, BATT light comes on, let car warm up for a minute or two WITH the voltage that low.

-Turn car off, turn it RIGHT BACK on.......14.7 Volts, shes good to go!


NOW...


-run my errands through out the day, cars turned on/off multiple times but the voltage remains perfect on the crank ups(14.7).

-Car sits for 5+ hours or until the next day...low voltage is back! Start the routine all over again.


Couple things, once it hits 14.7 volts for the day, it STAYS that way through the whole day w/no issues. This only started happening when it got cold. I'm running a yellow top, I've been running my system in the car since I first got it.

-rockford bd1000 pushing two type-r's
-alpine mrp-f300 pushing alpine 2-ways up front/mb quarts in the rear
-1 farad rockford cap

System wiring was done by me, never had any issues, I mean it's kinda hard to mess that up w/the battery and plenty of areas to ground in our trunks.

Questions:

-Would a loose belt cause this?
-If it was a ground wouldn't it happen more than just once in a day??
-Seems like some kinda relay is "heating up; reconnecting" then working fine, which one IF any is connected w/the charging system??
-Is there any way to test these alternators?? No, they won't fit in the local autoparts stores alt. testing machines as some of you may know. Can't pick up an RPM signal using batt/alt tester you can drag outside, any ideas??

This is nothing like when I had my alternator acting up on me before I replaced it, funny thing is, it was actually a grounding issue as the power wire to the alt was loose but didnt realize that till I had it all apart, replaced it anyway.

I have a nice fluke meter than can do a variety of things, anyone know how to test these alts w/them?

Thanks for any help on this one....

 

Check the voltage of the battery with the meter in the morning to compare actual to the interceptor reading.(before starting)

Start the car and check voltage at the battery again with the meter ,compare to interceptor.

If the voltage is less than 13 volts try reving the car and see if the voltage goes up.

Could be a pcm issue the voltage on the interceptor is the reading the pcm is telling it is.

 

Very true, as I'm getting;

-P0133 HO2S Slow Response Sensor 1 ECM
-P0562 System Voltage Low ECM

Hmm...maybe I should pull out the HPT cable and reflash the pcm, maybe that'll help.

 

...cars still stuck.


Reflashed the PCM...

-Any ideas? Batteries dead....10volts, car wont even start now, been sitting.

-Is the alternator not working killing the battery? Its a brand new yellow top...I dont wanna go and pick up another battery just to kill it again.

-Does ANYONE know how to check an alternator with a volt meter??? Can't I just read the voltage its getting or emitting?? I'm just trying to pin point the issue here....

 

Sounds like a parasitic draw. something is pulling power while the car is off. You'll only notice that after extended off periods.

Car has to be running to check the alternator. If that wasnt working though, you wouldnt see 14.7 volts at any point.

 

damn, that sucks.....I got guages, audio equip etc etc....wouldnt know where to begin to look for the whatever, though the amps are the only thing directly related to the battery. Hmmm.

The thing is after long periods...the battery volts still remain @ about 12 volts...its just on start up the volts dont immediately go up to 14.7 like a normal start up they drop to 11.7ish and sloooowly go down like the battery is trying to power the car and its accessories by itself.

I went out and jumped started it a little while ago...Immediately shot up to 14.7, let it run for 30 minutes, drove it around let it idle for another 30 minutes, no issues what so ever. We'll see what the morning brings.

 

She'll be drained again. Here is a how-to find a parasitic draw. My suggestion is do this with everything in the car off, but still connected. look at the readings, from there disconnect accesories one by one until you see the amps drop.That is the only way to pinpoint the problem.

http://www.wikihow.com/Find-a-Parasitic-Battery-Drain

 

ok, ill try that tomorrow...Im beat, thanks.