Originally Posted by
ala_xfire
SO, I surmise from your response that an at rest reading of 12.0 volts is NO indication of a good battery !
I guess the only test of a battery is to replace it, and if the problems go with it, then it was bad.
( A cheaper way would be to swap with a buddy, if he inherits your sins, then buy HIM/HER a battery
)
Or, if you are mrmiata or reddog, just swap batteries among the dozen or so Crossfires you have all parked in a row.
Hi George, I try the rule of 2.25v per cell (added up means 13.5v (nominal) but hooked up and under a load it could drop some, it seems? I should go out and V test mine at rest (hooked up). I cannot understand the VERY small load applied (hooked up at rest) would bring it down to 12.1 to 12.4v? Got a little testing to do!
Originally Posted by
Mackel
Not at all. I'm certainly not an electrical expert. That's why I sought advice here.
You're the one who suggested that I check the battery and that I should get 12.1-12.4 volts.
Since the terminals were in good shape as was the ground lug, then the battery became the prime suspect.
Given it's age and the fact that I have only 1 toy - go get another one and see if that does it.
It must have been the right medicine. The radio doesn't come on by itself, the lights don't flicker and the car doesn't go totally brain dead on me for 11 minutes.
Thanks for the advice, George.
As you are finding out (many have been told for ages, it seems), these cars do not like low voltage/current reserves. When my spoiler popped up I bought a new battery. I still got the old one and it seems to be OK, but no more problems with the XF!
.