Battery, alternator, serpentine belt?
Posted by illarybankss@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 3 comments
I have a 2007 Honda CRV and for the past year, it’s been struggling or failing to start if I don’t drive it at least every two days. I went to O’Reilly’s to get my battery & alternator tested and was told my battery wasn’t fully charged but good, but the alternator wasn’t charging the battery and that I need a new alternator. I left the battery for them to charge it in the store and when I picked it up a few hours later, the employee said it was charged up to 80% when he last checked on it, but it dropped down to 50% by the time I got there and although the battery test was still saying it was good, the loss of charge means it may go bad soon. My serpentine belt also is squeaking so I bought a new one but to change the alternator out, I would have to take the belt off anyway so I was thinking if needed, I should replace alternator and belt at the same time. Should I replace only belt or battery first and test again to see if alternator is good or replace all at the same time?
rns96@reddit
Replace your alternator and belt at the same time, belt needs to come off anyway to replace alternator
wpmason@reddit
When was the last time your belt/tensioner/idlers were changed?
If you don’t know, you might as well do them. It’s basic maintenance that often goes neglected.
Honestly, bad pulley bearings are a bigger concern than a modern belt breaking.
But also, without doing any extra testing, it sounds like your failing alternator might be killing your battery.
I’d address it all with winter coming… but I do my own work, so it’s easy for me to say that… not as much money on the line.
CarobAffectionate582@reddit
Start here:
With the car idling, what is the DC voltage across the battery terminals? What is it at 2k rpm?