05-10-2017, 08:05 AM | #1 |
GrumpyAdam
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Battery Voltage
On a recent trip, I scrolled thru the various screens on my car. When I got to the voltage screen, it showed 12.4 volts when the car was running. I had been driving for awhile. The battery is 4 yrs old. Should I replace that battery. It hasn't been that low since I owned the car. I bought it in 2014 and the car is a 2013.
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05-10-2017, 09:38 AM | #2 |
376 cubic inches of fun
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The voltage varies while you are driving. This is discussed in the owner's manual.
The displayed voltage is the voltage being applied to the battery. When the battery is charging and/or when a lot of accessories are running, the charging voltage is high. When the battery is fully charged, the voltage is lower. In my experience, the voltage drops when you drive a long time. I would be more concerned if the voltage never dropped, even on long trips. When that happens, that's the sign of an old battery. |
05-10-2017, 10:51 AM | #3 |
GrumpyAdam
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My only concern is the radio quit working when the voltage went to 12.5 Volts. When I got home, I shut off the car. Waited 30-45 seconds, started the car and the voltage went up to 14.5 or so and the radio started to work. Should I put a new battery in it anyway. Guess it couldn't hurt.
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05-10-2017, 01:42 PM | #4 | |
Drives: 2020 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 1,338
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Quote:
__________________
2020 ZL1 1LE [Moroso SC Expansion Tank, otherwise stock]
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05-10-2017, 01:56 PM | #5 |
GrumpyAdam
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I am going to take it to Chevy. If I do change the battery, I want an OE battery. I am concerned about the radio shutting off.
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05-10-2017, 04:02 PM | #6 | |
376 cubic inches of fun
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Quote:
Not sure what your problem is, but a competent dealer can test your battery AND charging system. Lugging the battery alone to Auto Zone won't tell you much. |
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05-10-2017, 05:35 PM | #7 |
GrumpyAdam
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Thanks everyone for the great info.
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05-11-2017, 07:42 AM | #8 |
Drives: 2014 2SS RS, 6 sp man Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Marlton, NJ
Posts: 461
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When I do a long trip it will go to 12.4v. After started it will see 14.8v and then after awhile it will go back to 12.4 when fully charged. After a week of not driving it will sit at 15.0 for a long while and it can take few hours of driving to get it to go down to 12.4 again. Its normal.
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05-11-2017, 07:48 AM | #9 |
GrumpyAdam
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But why did the radio quit working. So the alternator doesn't put out a constant 14 volts like my Chevy truck? Interesting.
Last edited by Adam Sprague; 05-11-2017 at 08:06 AM. |
05-11-2017, 05:39 PM | #10 |
KNGTFALL
Drives: 2012 2SS 45th edition Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: (Near) Charlotte, NC
Posts: 1,533
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Theres alot to the charging cycle of or cars.
Heres some info I have on Drive https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bz3...ew?usp=sharing |
05-12-2017, 04:50 PM | #11 |
GrumpyAdam
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This was great information. I hope everybody reads this. Took the car in anyway just to have it checked out. I'm putting a new battery in the car anyway. Probably didn't need to but I will feel much better.
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05-15-2017, 11:34 AM | #12 |
GrumpyAdam
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Took the car to the Chevrolet Dealer in Aransas Pass, Tx. They checked out everything and the battery was bad under load. So new battery and I am back in service. Thanks to everyone who gave me great information on the forum.
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05-20-2017, 08:22 AM | #13 |
GrumpyAdam
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New battery and the voltage went back down to 12.5 and the radio cut off. Now what do I do. I'm changing the alternator after hooking up a volt meter to the battery and watched the voltage go from 14.6 volts down to 12.5 volts in a matter of 45 seconds. I believe it is not suppose to do that.
GVA 45TH 2SS, thank you for the info. Last edited by Adam Sprague; 05-31-2017 at 11:15 AM. |
05-31-2017, 11:15 AM | #14 |
GrumpyAdam
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I guess I am just hard headed. JD555 you are correct about the voltage. It seems I have a problem with the radio itself. I am just use to the voltage on my truck always being 14 volts and figured it would be the same. New cars, new systems. Thanks for all the answers on here.
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