1994 Cadillac DeVille Logo

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Raymond Sorg Posted on Sep 25, 2009
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My battery will not keep its charge. I'm assuming it is the alternator. Does that make sense?

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When the car is off, your battery terminals should read about 12V +-.2V. After starting the car, the terminals should read 13V-14V +-.2V. This means that your alternator is working and charging your battery. If it's below 13V, then your alternator is not charging your battery and it reads above 14V, then it's overcharging and damaging your battery. If it is charging your battery properly, then you may have an electrical short somewhere that is drawing power off the battery even when the car is off. Unfortunately that will be hard to trace as you'd have to test all your wiring.

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Depends on the age of the battery, condition, etc.

Easiest solution is to take it to an autoparts store, the larger chains will all test the battery & charging system for you free of charge.

It is quite possible for a battery to register 12 volts on a voltmeter after being charged, but to lose power as soon as any load is applied, such as trying to start.

My experience is that these days, seldom does the alternator fail (in old days, it usually was (1) the voltage regulator/diode/triode that failed ot the (2) brushes worn out.) Quite possible with a '94 that you do have a failure of the alternator as it has passed it's intended life span.

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