Altenator Going??????? Please Help

Discussion in 'Volvo Forum' started by mherout, Nov 12, 2013.

  1. mherout

    mherout Bobtail Member

    10
    1
    Jan 4, 2013
    ILLINOIS
    0
    I have a 2009 Volvo VNL670 w/ Cummins ISX. We recently took home time went out to the truck and found it dead. I replaced all 4 batteries with new ones with 1000 cold cranking amps. Took a run down to Texas from Chicago with the new batteries in place. We have been sitting here for a over a day and I still have to start the truck to charge the batteries.

    How can I tell if my alternator is going or if the batteries are bad?

    Low Idle 600 RPM 13.7 Volts
    High Idle 850 RPM 14.1 Volts
    Engine off Key on batteries at 12.5 and dropping .1 till it is at 12 Volts then bouncing between 11.9-12 volts
    (according to the idiot screen on the dash)
    After the night of sitting it was rough starting this morning.

    Any help would be appreciated. Thanks for your time.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

    19,726
    18,734
    Apr 18, 2010
    Tennessee
    0
    If it's putting out 13.7-14.1V then your alternator is good. It's possible to get a bad battery but why did you buy batteries in the first place? You probably have a small parasite drain somewhere.

    I'm not sure what you mean by that? Do you mean low voltage alarm? You have to jump the truck off? If you are watching TV or using accessories won't last much more than 8 hours depending on what you are doing.
     
    KW Cajun Thanks this.
  4. rwdfinch50

    rwdfinch50 Medium Load Member

    527
    595
    Nov 6, 2007
    Leesburg, Fl.
    0
    It may well be the starter. What you describe points to it. With a Volvo like yours, when the voltage drops, you start to lose accessories in the tractor, such as dome lights, c.b. power, etc. in order to preserve power. If all that is good, I suggest a starter test.
     
    Vytas and CondoCruiser Thank this.
  5. mherout

    mherout Bobtail Member

    10
    1
    Jan 4, 2013
    ILLINOIS
    0
    I bought the batteries because back when I bought the truck in April it had to jump started and the alarm would kick on in a short while after the truck was shut down. When we are at a stop we don't run anything other than our small fridge. Last night the alarm would kick on I would start the truck watch the batteries charge than shut it down again. I started the truck right before we went to sleep and when I went to start it this morning it was hesitant to start but there was no need for a jumpstart.

    Also when the truck is at the house there is nothing plugged in at all. No reason the batteries should die.

    Hopefully this helps
     
  6. KW Cajun

    KW Cajun Road Train Member

    2,383
    3,652
    Apr 12, 2013
    Copperhead Road
    0
    As Condo said, your alternator charging voltage is normal. I also have the same confusion & questions of your statements, that he mentioned.
    In the future, if the batteries are found dead, first try to determine why. Did you leave any powered items on? Also, first try disconnecting and charging them, followed by a short rest period and a load test on them. It's possible a simple recharging can eliminate having to replace all of them.

    Also, anytime you replace batteries, always promptly test charging voltage to make sure that it's normal and doesn't drain new batteries.
    Engine off/Key on is battery voltage only, which should at close to 12.5 as you indicated. The .1 rate drop is normal, as you are slightly draining the batteries by having the key on (ECM and other "electricals" are being powered).

    Not sure what you man exactly, for either statement.
    What do you mean by "rough starting"? Is cranking speed lower than normal? Or does it crank fast enough, but doesn't want to readily start?

    Edit: I didn't see your last post prior to typing mine. You might want to check amperage draw on that fridge. It may be higher than it should be.
    Is it a 12 volt fridge, or is it 110 v and running off an inverter?
     
    Last edited: Nov 12, 2013
  7. mherout

    mherout Bobtail Member

    10
    1
    Jan 4, 2013
    ILLINOIS
    0
    With the small fridge plugged in and that's all that's running, I was in the bunk turned on the small reading light and within 30 seconds the alarm went off.
    As far as the rough starting, it sounded like it was cranking fast enough, it was just really sluggish.
    Maybe I am expecting to much from my batteries.
     
  8. topitopi

    topitopi Bobtail Member

    7
    0
    Nov 12, 2013
    0
    you are expecting too much, thats ALL, when you want to use fridge and such things, only when truck is running
     
  9. rwdfinch50

    rwdfinch50 Medium Load Member

    527
    595
    Nov 6, 2007
    Leesburg, Fl.
    0
    O.k., I have another idea. Our 07 Volvo 780 was having electrical problems with low voltage, and one of the things the dealer found was the metal strip that runs between the batteries was really corroded, and we replaced it. It could be as simple as that. I'd also check to make sure all of the battery terminals are in good shape. You may only be getting part of the power available from the batteries due to bad connections. It would only take one bad terminal to effect the power.
    Also, if the fridge is the stock Volvo fridge, it won't run if the voltage is too low. I've left mine on for days with no effect on the battery power.
     
    KW Cajun Thanks this.
  10. fld

    fld Medium Load Member

    383
    259
    Nov 24, 2012
    0
    If nothing is draining your batteries (lights on, etc), and all wiring and connections are clean and tight, including the frame ground, then the problem could be a leaking diode in the alternator. If you start with fully charged batteries, it will show normal charging voltage. But if the truck sits overnight, the leaking diode will drain the batteries.
     
    Vytas, CondoCruiser and KW Cajun Thank this.
  11. KW Cajun

    KW Cajun Road Train Member

    2,383
    3,652
    Apr 12, 2013
    Copperhead Road
    0
    Very true. The OP should always check for current drain with engine off/key off (and fridge/all accessories off), to eliminate this possibility.
     
    Skunk_Truck_2590 Thanks this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.