Re: For Thomas Meacham or anyone else (archive)

Sorry, I haven't read your earlier post bit have you checked this reading with a separate volt meter? Maybe it is telling it the way it is and the alternator or the battery is toast. My new alternator (last summer) was showed 10.8V with the engine running but of course it wasn't long before the voltage got below the point where the system would function properly.

You can do a load test on the battery to see how it is holding up. Turn on the headlights for about 1 minute (15A) with the engine off. Shut them off, disconnect the -ve cable and measure the battery voltage.
12.6V> --> fully charged
12.4V ---> 75% charged
12.2V ---> 50% charged
12.0V ---> 25% charged
11.7V< --> fully discharged

A do-it-yourself alternator test is to run the engine at about 2000rpm and turn on all the electrical loads you can (fans, electric defroster, seat heaters, headlights, etc.) and measure the battery voltage - it should be at least 12.0V.

'88 750iL

I posted a question about my alt a few days ago. You said to look for a connector next to the O2 sensor that carries alt voltage right? I can't find exaclty what your talking about. Is there a picture or something in Bently's or on the web so I can get an idea. Would that affect the amp read out on the OBC? Because its reading 10.8 with the car started and nothing else on

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