Testing battery with multimeter..
Discussion
My car alarm has started going off and it seems a common problem on this model (Avensis) when the battery's on the way out. It's marked with a sticker dated 2004 so I've checked it with a multimeter and got the following:
No load, engine off: 12.9v
With headlamps on only, engine off: 11.5v
Does it look okay? I'd have expected a dead battery to have a lower voltage on both counts
No load, engine off: 12.9v
With headlamps on only, engine off: 11.5v
Does it look okay? I'd have expected a dead battery to have a lower voltage on both counts
I'd say that it may be on its way out - get someone to poke a battery tester at it to see how it behaves under a severe load (takes 10 seconds).
I used to have a Carina E - and that would sound its alarm when the battery volts went down - which of course drained the battery even more and meant that I had no chance of starting the car.
Check out the battery prices at your local Toyota spares dept - when I replaced the battery in my last Toyota their price was equal (or maybe slightly less) than the nearest cheapest motor factors. Theirs was the standard brand make, where the motor factors was Brand X.
I used to have a Carina E - and that would sound its alarm when the battery volts went down - which of course drained the battery even more and meant that I had no chance of starting the car.
Check out the battery prices at your local Toyota spares dept - when I replaced the battery in my last Toyota their price was equal (or maybe slightly less) than the nearest cheapest motor factors. Theirs was the standard brand make, where the motor factors was Brand X.
You could always consider a decent battery reconditioner, such as a CTEK XS800
I've successfully recond'ed several 10+yr old batteries to full health.
A lot cheaper than a new battery.
I've successfully recond'ed several 10+yr old batteries to full health.
A lot cheaper than a new battery.
Thanks guys. I tried again when it had been sitting for a while and after 3 mins of full beam and rear heated window the voltage dropped to 10.5v. It's shot!
This place seems very good on prices:
http://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk
Lucas for £60 delivered, £90 for Bosch delivered and Halfords comes in at £93 for their own brand
This place seems very good on prices:
http://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk
Lucas for £60 delivered, £90 for Bosch delivered and Halfords comes in at £93 for their own brand
CIS121 said:
Thanks guys. I tried again when it had been sitting for a while and after 3 mins of full beam and rear heated window the voltage dropped to 10.5v. It's shot!
This place seems very good on prices:
http://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk
Lucas for £60 delivered, £90 for Bosch delivered and Halfords comes in at £93 for their own brand
Or these http://www.performancebatteries.co.uk/This place seems very good on prices:
http://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk
Lucas for £60 delivered, £90 for Bosch delivered and Halfords comes in at £93 for their own brand
Chris.
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