cutlass xombie

Ok I just got a new battery for my car today and it fired right up no probs but the GEN light came on and the car just slowly started to die.

The old battery when boosted never lit up the light but the car would slowly die as well.

Now even after it dies I can fire it back up but again it eventually shuts off.

Any ideas?

Cheers

cutlass xombie

I guess I'm on my own with this one lol.

MDchanic

I think we'd need more information to be of any help.
Voltage off, at idle, and at 2,000 rpm, maybe current out of the alternator if you've got an ammeter connected, current flow from battery when turned off, lights dim or not dim, something, anything...

- Eric

cutlass xombie

Ok sorry I will try and get that for you.

oldcutlass

Normally that light is a symptom of a failed generator.

cutlassgal

The only time my Gen light came on other than when starting her, was when her voltage regulator went out.

cutlass xombie

Ya I was going to test the alternator and see if it is any good and I will check the regulator as well.

Thanks so much.

cutlass xombie

Does the CCA on the battery need to be 850? Going by Antique Auto Batteries chart that is what my car had originally. http://antiqueautobattery.com/genera...tml#Oldsmobile

Now if the new battery I put in it was lower which I believe it is (550 I think) would that cause the car to die?

Sorry if this is a dumb question but I just want to cover my bases before I start checking other things like the Alternator and such...plus I won't be able to get to that stuff for a bit but if the battery is wrong that I can take back easy enough.

Cheers
Rob

MDchanic

The CCA of the battery refers to the maximum cranking output (current) in extreme cold weather.
It is good in a daily driver that you plan to use year-round to go for a high CCA, because as the battery ages, there will still be enough power for cold starts.
The CCA refers to the maximum current you can get out of the battery over a short period of time, but NOT to the number of times in a row you can try to start it, which is it's overall amp-hour capacity.

If the battery will comfortably turn the motor over, then you've got enough CCA for the ambient temperature at the time if the test.

That being said, I always buy the biggest battery that will physically fit in my car, regardless of the specifications. For instance, the battery company specs for my '73 Delta said that the biggest battery for any full-size that year was either a 75 or a 78. I measured the battery tray, measured the batteries on the rack, and a 27 (HUGE) fit like a glove.

- Eric