Volt gauge readings?

JEZ 280ZX

JEZ 280ZX

Well-Known Forum User
Hi,
I've been having trouble starting my car.I've charged the battery up a couple of times and it will start ok if I've been driving a while, but if left for a day, there isn't enough juice to start the car.
I've noticed that the volt gauge is registering about 12 volts whilst driving, but is off the bottom of the scale at idle.I'm sure it used to sit at 12 volts at idle and about 14 whilst driving?...But I'm not sure.
The battery was fine last year and appeared to be quite new, but perhaps it's had enough now?
 
Charge the battery up fully overnite on a battery charger and the following day get a drop volts test at your local motor shop/ battery sales outlet.
That will give you an answer about the battery for certain.
I have a tester here ... but its a long way to come just to test the battery.;)
 
Either battery is knackered and not accepting the charge or the alternator has gone down. Less than 12V when driving is not enough to power the ECU and the car will fail out on the road...
 
I've put the headlights on and revved the engine and the lights do get brighter, so I assume that the alternator is working?
 
Yup,it's working ,,just not well enough ! You should get around 14 volts at idle and upwards , and about 12 when cranking . Your output on the gauge seems really low to me :eek:
 
So ... you need to do that battery test and check the alternator output with a multimeter. Simples!
 
Thanks Guys!
I think I'll try a new battery...I've had it on charge today and it doesn't want to play!
 
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Well I bought a new battery off ebay and fitted it today.All seems ok....Time will tell though!
The voltmeter still wasn't giving a reading, until I reversed out of the garage and opened the driver's door...It then sprung to life, as did the digi clock!
I had previously removed the fuse for the interior lights to save the battery, so when I replaced the fuse, the voltmeter and clock came back to life as normal with the door open or shut ! :confused: Neither were playing up before though!
 
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What is it with the clock?? Mine works evry now and then but always says the right time..Is it the dispklay that goes or the connections or.......?
 
bro973x said:
What is it with the clock?? Mine works evry now and then but always says the right time..Is it the dispklay that goes or the connections or.......?
Click to expand...


I have the same problem with my clock. The only thing I can gaurantee is thats it right twice a day....:)
 
My power antena goes up very nicely,,,,just wont do the down thing !! go figure :D:lol:God I love these cars !:cheers:
 
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