I first start my car, voltage is 11.5 volts, until I touch the throttle, then voltage jumps up to 13.4-13.9 volts.

Is this normal?

 

No. Voltage should be well above 12v while the car is running. Have the battery tested, but it's probably the alternator.

 

it is just as soon as I touch the throttle, is like its needs a little kick or something. Just seems weird that it isn't already above 12v as soon as car is started

 

Should idle ~13.5 with normal current draw.

You might have a bad voltage regulator. Something isn't right.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by t0p_sh0tta &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">No. Voltage should be well above 12v while the car is running. Have the battery tested, but it's probably the alternator. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I think it's the other way around. Batteries are 12v and the alternator supplies the bump to around 14v.

If it's at 11.5 but then bumps up to the normal 14, that would mean the alternator is doing it's job and the battery is lagging. No?

Clean terminals and check the connection to the alternator just as a normal check.

 

Honestly i would check your Alt. Belt. If you start the car and dont touch the peddle at all and it stays at 11.5 but you press the gas and it shoots up then that mean that either the alt. isnt spinning fast enough to make power or its going out.

Check your belt and make sure everything is hooked up.

 

on some honda's the alternator will not start charging for a few minutes after you start the car or if you turn your headlights on.

So turn your lights on and test it at idle. I bet it shows ~14v then.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by groundedcivic91 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I first start my car, voltage is 11.5 volts, until I touch the throttle, then voltage jumps up to 13.4-13.9 volts.

Is this normal?</TD></TR></TABLE>

lights on? a/c on high?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PLANBmotorsports &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think it's the other way around. Batteries are 12v and the alternator supplies the bump to around 14v.

If it's at 11.5 but then bumps up to the normal 14, that would mean the alternator is doing it's job and the battery is lagging. No?

Clean terminals and check the connection to the alternator just as a normal check.</TD></TR></TABLE>

AFAIK the battery should always (atleast when in good shape) be ~12v or higher. While the car is running you should always measure well over 12v when you have a healthy electrical system.

As Luserkid stated it may also be a worn/loose belt.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PLANBmotorsports &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I think it's the other way around. Batteries are 12v and the alternator supplies the bump to around 14v.

If it's at 11.5 but then bumps up to the normal 14, that would mean the alternator is doing it's job and the battery is lagging. No?

Clean terminals and check the connection to the alternator just as a normal check.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i get 11.5 volts @idle but when i move its at 14v. I just had my alternator replaced a week ago. Im thinking it my battery is "lagging"? ive had it recharged twice so far.

 

My 89 HF is the same way. When fully warmed up and idling at 750 I'm only reading 11 or so volts. With everything on, heat, lights, defroster, everything, it drops to 10 volts. As soon as the rpm's go 1000 or higher, it's putting out 14.

From what I've done to try to diagnose the problem, the only thing I can arrive at is I just have a tired and old electrical system that more than likely has some grounding and electrical connection issues.

I don't know how old your car is, but your problem might be more attributed to age than anything else.

 

heres the answer


having your voltage go to 11.5 at idle is normal
you have to take the factor of heat under the hood a factor as a resistance
thi sis one of the test in my ASE eletrical class .. turn everything on all lights and AC if you have it anythign that will cause a drag and load on the alternator press on the brake pedal turn on your high beam if it sustains the 10.7 or higher at idle and when you rev the car and spikes up to 13.7 to 14.5 then everythng is working properly.. most lightly your wire leads to the alternator is just having "NORMAL" wear from age nothing to worry about but if your car cant hold the load about 10.5 at idle check your charging system like wireleads and grounds

if it drops below 10.5 while reving and the alternator is under load you should get the alternator checked usually the brushes in the alternator is what goes bad if your charging doesnt hold up at full load...

 

Cool cool, I figured it was something just simple, or normal. The alternator is brand new as of about one month ago when my old one finally let loose.

Ever since I installed the new alternator and new belt, there has been this high pitched winning noise comming from that area, I cannot determine if its the pulley, belt or combination. The whining noise gets louder as RPM's increase. I have lossened the belt, and still same noise, I tightened the belt more, still same noise.

I dunno what it is but its kinda annoying.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by groundedcivic91 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ever since I installed the new alternator and new belt, there has been this high pitched winning noise comming from that area, I cannot determine if its the pulley, belt or combination. The whining noise gets louder as RPM's increase. I have lossened the belt, and still same noise, I tightened the belt more, still same noise.

I dunno what it is but its kinda annoying.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah mine does that too. I have determined that its the belt on mine. I can lightly spray a dab of wd40 on the belt and it quiets up for a few days, then comes back. I have tightened loosened adjusted the belt and same thing. I have even used that belt dressing crap and I get the same noise back.

*note* putting any type of oil on a belt will weaken it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by t0p_sh0tta &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

AFAIK the battery should always (atleast when in good shape) be ~12v or higher. While the car is running you should always measure well over 12v when you have a healthy electrical system.

As Luserkid stated it may also be a worn/loose belt.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ya your right