Dead Battery!

Although quite simple, batteries can be confusing. Average life of a battery can be as little as four years and at times if you get a voltmeter you will read 12 volts howerver a cell could be shot and you no longer have the supplied amps to turn the motor over. There are a few checks you can do here to confirm.

1. Depending on your guages....does your Alt light stay on? when running does the Alt indicate a (-) reading or a (+) reading.

2. If possible get anothor good battery and flash up you car. Check your battery to ensure the Alt is putting out 14 volts to the battery. If "yes" it's a good start and confirms your Alt is fine. If "no" you should check right from the Alt to ensure your wires going to the battery are fine.

3. Check to see if you have a electrical bleed or short in your car. Do this by ensuring all your conditions are turned off in your car...(lights, radio, doors closed etc). Take off your (-) battery post and meter between the post and a good ground. If you get any reading on the meter..something is shorting and draining your battery. Remember however some CD/radio will use a small amount of voltage for memory.

4. If you confirm all is fine with your Alt output, wires and connections are fine, you may have to check your voltage regulator. If faulty they can allow your Alt to undercharge or overcharge your battery killing it.

5. Make sure all your connections are clean and tight (battery posts and starter)

6. Lastly, if you take your battery to a shop (they) can bench test it for you this will ensure you if its toast and can not longer hold a charge.