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I do not use my convertible a lot in the winter. I used it two days ago, after a three weeks period of non-use. She started up right away, I drove for an hour or so (at night) and parked it again in the garage.
Today I needed the space in the garage to work on my motorcycle so I tried to start it up.
click-click-click said the starter, dim-dim-dim said the lights. Battery was out.
It surprised me, as I had used the car two days before without a problem. So I charged the battery for an hour and a half (while working on the motorcycle outside, freezing my butt). The car started after that, with a slow crank speed, but I expected it. After all it charged only for 90 minutes or so.
So I decided to take the car for a spin, to charge the damn battery. Drove for an hour on small and spirited roads, come back home with a grin (those SP9000 sure are better than the old Michelin...), stopped the car in the driveway, openned the garage doors, tried to restart the car...
click-click-click said the starter, dim-dim-dim said the lights. Battery was still out.
Out? After an hour drive? Means two possible things to me:
- Battery is dead. I don't think so, it was able to hold a charge in the first place.
- Alternator is dead. I don't like this ;^(
I jump-started the car using the family minivan and dusted off my tester:
- Car running: 17 Volts at the batery. Mmmm, seems high.
- Car not running: 13.2 Volts, falling rapidly if I use the power.
The 17 volts look suspiscious to me. Before I go and remove the alternator is there anything obvious I'm missing? When running the car is fine, everything works, there is no idiot light flashing (and the idiot lights are turning on before starting the car, so I know they work)
How can I refine my diagnosis? Night was falling, I was pissed off, so I just put the battery back onto the charger to fully load it and I haven't tried to look further yet.
Now if I need to remove/repair/replace the alternator or regulator what else should I replace at the same time? Belt? Idler pulley? My belt looks fine and the idler pulley does not make any noise.
My car as been almost trouble free so far, except for a couple of clutch cables and a new clutch 3000 miles ago. I'm surprised to see the alternator go with such a low mileage...
'97 900 SE Turbo Convertible, 45000 Miles.
Thanks for any insight you can give me.
-- [Art]
posted by 217.128.4...
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