Car in question is a volvo v70

New battery

Struggles to start after being left a day or so

Checked for drains (no drain)

Alternator is putting out 13.7 volts at idle (14v when revved)

Is this a normal alternator voltage or too low?

I was always under the impression an alternator should put out 14.4v and i confirmed this by checking my van (14.4v at idle and 14.4v when revved)

Cheers

If its struggling to start after a day or two then that suggests a drain or the battery not holding its charge

Brank spanking battery and no drain on the battery.

What i was thinking is the alternator isnt putting out enough voltage to completely charge the battery

And after a few days with the alarm etc thats just enough to kill it

?

Battery voltage this morning was 11.96v

Its a good battery one of those exide magic eye ones, the previous battery was also a decent one

Cranking current of 880A

Brand Spanking new battery from where, how stored and was it good when purchased and fitted.

Drop test the battery.

Maybe it will be replaced under Warranty if its a bad one.

 

What was the story on the demise of the old battery.?   Was it just past it, or not getting charged correctly?

 Is the new battery a like for like.?

 

I have a Volvo S60 Automatic and have a battery with 100 Ah. 900 CCA

There are lots of interior lights on at start up, dim dip headlights etc, and Sidelights that stay on as Parking Lights etc on Volvos,

Good Batteries are Essential, and then those in the boot are a right PITA.

Edited 7 May, 201511 yr by goneoffSKi

That alternator voltage is low; are you measuring at the battery terminals, or elsewhere?

 

Should see 14.2V +/- 0.2V across the batt terms (so 14.0 is right at the bottom of the acceptable range, 13.7 is basically not charging the battery at all). Does the car sit in town traffic at idle much? How much do you have to rev it to get it to 14.0V?

Battery voltage this morning was 11.96v

Its a good battery one of those exide magic eye ones, the previous battery was also a decent one

Cranking current of 880A

thats low , if it was the charging system then it would have been that low when you last used the car.