A/C Draining Battery
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A/C Draining Battery
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If I run the A/C it is draining the battery (and system) until the car dies - this occurs only during A/C use and usually within 15-30 minutes.
It looks to be on seperate belts - the A/C blows cold and shuts off fine and the belt isn't slipping.
If I don't run the A/C the car is fine
Before I drop $80 on diagnosis any suggestions?
If I run the A/C it is draining the battery (and system) until the car dies - this occurs only during A/C use and usually within 15-30 minutes.
It looks to be on seperate belts - the A/C blows cold and shuts off fine and the belt isn't slipping.
If I don't run the A/C the car is fine
Before I drop $80 on diagnosis any suggestions?
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Originally Posted by turboslug
if you are using the air con, the alternator is supposed to charge the battery if neccessary. i dont get what you're complaining about
I'm complaining because the alernator is NOT charging the battery (or is not charging it fast enough) with the A/C on and then the car dies....
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Rep Power: 0 You can get your alternator load tested to see if it is has a shorted coil or diode. Almost all car parts stores and alternator shops will do this for free. You just have to pull the alternator yourself and bring it in.
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There is something that turns on the alternator under heavy load and shuts it off under light load. Maybe yours is shutting off. Then when the AC kicks on, it doesn't bump the alternator back on. Someone did a post explaining what it is.
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Rep Power: 302 That would be the ELD. Electrical Load Detector. It tells the ECU how much current is being drawn from the battery, and the ECU in turn turns the alternator on and off.
There was a thread about this, and how to possibly trick the ECU into not turning off the alternator.
There was a thread about this, and how to possibly trick the ECU into not turning off the alternator.
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Rep Power: 811 Yeah that's it. Oh and is it normal for my voltage to hover around 11.5 when driving? Seems low, but then it kicks the alt on if some other accessory gets used.
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Originally Posted by tacheon
You can get your alternator load tested to see if it is has a shorted coil or diode. Almost all car parts stores and alternator shops will do this for free. You just have to pull the alternator yourself and bring it in.
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Originally Posted by Gaza
any quick hints to pull the alternator? Do you have to go at it from bottom of car?
thanks for your help.
thanks for your help.
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