Tdijarhead
Top Post Dawg
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2013
- Location
- Lawrenceville PA
- TDI
- 2003 TDI Jetta Daughters Car, 2001 TDI Beetle, Wife’s car, 2005 Golf TDI Mine, all 5 spds
It doesn't seem to be bouncing, I do have serpentine belt wear though. Now another mystery. The last time I started my car was about 4 hours ago and it barely started. I just went outside to charge the battery so I can still use it for getting to work in the morning and while i was at it i measured the voltage at the battery...11.5?! How is that possible. The instrument cluster lights would dim even if i turned the fan on yet the battery is almost at a full charge. Maybe 11.5 is considered low but to me it doesn't make sense.
11.5 is not a low battery, it’s a dead battery. I used to think a 12v battery had....well 12v’s. Not so, a brand new fully charged battery will be in the 12.7-12.8 range, with 12.6 being pretty much normal for a battery that has had some use but is still healthy.
When your battery charge goes below 12.2-12.3 on a chilly morning your car may not start, or just barely start. Which is the reason up north here the first cold snap in the fall brings about a spike in battery sales. When a battery is this low and will not charge back to 12.6 and hold that charge it’s time to start thinking, replacement.
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