Off, it was showing 12.5 volts. Running was 13.4 at the cables, 13.1 from the unused posts on top. The gauge inside usually shows less than 13.
It doesn't have a hard time starting but the battery will show about 50%. Autozone couldn't even do a test because the battery was so low.
I'm thinking battery.
Full Version: Battery or alternator is dead...
They should be able to do a quick charge then load test. If not, go somewhere else. But yeah, prob battery.
Would a bad battery show less than 13 volts on the stock gauge?
Stock battery (no load, no charging) should show 12.6V (six individual cells each at 2.1V). If the voltmeter shows ~13.6V-14.1V while the car is running, what you're seeing is the alternator charge. If the battery is quickly dissipating it charge at rest (12.5V down to 10.2V), the plates are heavily sulfated and it's time for a new battery like CrachTestDummy stated.
QUOTE (mr.beachcomber @ Aug 31 2017, 09:33 AM) 
Stock battery (no load, no charging) should show 12.6V (six individual cells each at 2.1V). If the voltmeter shows ~13.6V-14.1V while the car is running, what you're seeing is the alternator charge. If the battery is quickly dissipating it charge at rest (12.5V down to 10.2V), the plates are heavily sulfated and it's time for a new battery like CrachTestDummy stated.
Ok maybe I was overthinking it. I was just expecting more volts while the car was running.
I'll get a new battery.
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