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Very likely VR Posted by Ari [Email] (#2847) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Ari) on Thu, 23 Sep 2004 05:28:49 In Reply to: Charging hiccup, VR?, bryan [Profile/Gallery] , Wed, 22 Sep 2004 16:05:52 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Since the Alternator provides (or should provide) all the electrical power needs when the engine is running, if you see low voltage when the engine is on, it's most likely NOT the battery.
You mentioned Mexico and 'shortly before the border'. First, I'll assume it was hot, and second, were you stuck in traffic when this was going on? The VR is temperature compensated - the output voltage DROPS when it gets warm - that's because a hot battery can't take charge as fast. So if you're at idle (stuck in traffic), hot (stuck in traffic in Mexico) and probably have a decent electrical load (blower fan on, A/C compressor clutch pulled in, brake lights on), it's quite reasonable to see some pretty low voltages. Under those conditions, 12.7-12.9 is pretty good.
However, if you're driving along at speed and see 12.7 volts, that's not a good sign. And 11.5 is never very good.
If the VR is more than 3 years old, I'd replace it. Cheap insurance. The brushes are probably pretty worn down.
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