Hi guys.

Here's the story. I installed an optima red top less than a year ago and it was not holding a charge overnight. If I got it started in the morning, and went about my business it would stop and start all day. But, when left for long periods the battery would die. So I ruled out the alternator and bought a die-hard battery from sears.

<img src="http://s7.sears.com/is/image/Sears/02833347000?layer=comp&wid=190&hei=190&fmt=jpeg&ql t=75,0&op_sharpen=0&resMode=norm&op_usm=0.5,1.0,0. 0,0">

This has fixed my problems for the time being, but I've been monitoring the battery with a voltmeter at the end and beginning of the day. After running the battery during the day I take a voltage of 12.90V. In the morning after it sits all night, I get 12.60V.

Question 1) is this normal or do I have a drain somewhere?
Question 2) if I have a drain, how can I determine where it's coming from?

Question 3 is possibly starter related. Simultaneously I get a horrible screech from the drivers side engine bay on every start. It used to be only the first start of the morning, now it's every start. A friend stuck his head under the hood on start and pointed at the starter as the origin of the sound.

<img src="http://img.autopartswarehouse.com/live/F500084482BOS.JPG">

In my not-at-all-expert opinion I think two things. A) it's the starter (heh). B) it's the ignition switch hanging on to the start for too long. I almost want to rule that one out since I replaced the ignition switch a short while ago because it went completely south. Lastly, anyone know the part number for a 2000 tt fwd (engine code atc) starter?

ok collective minds... go!
thanks

Andrew

 

and you don't think its related to the alternator?

 

A 12v Wet cell at:

100% charge= 12.65V
50% Charge= 12.20V
25% Charge= 11.95V
Dead= 11.60V

When the car is running (with a good battery fully charged the Alt. output to the battery will be about 13.6V. If the battery is discharged or in the morning at first start look for 14.1. With a heavy load (lights), running voltage will be 13.1. There will always be a light load on the battery when the car is off (ECU, Radio, clock, alarm, etc.) but this will be minimal. A good way to check battery health is to undo the terminals, let sit overnight, then voltage check in the morning. Use the voltages above to determine health

Hope that helps!

 

My GF's Jetta does the screech; her battery is fine.

 

no because the new diehard fixed the battery problem.

 

i just wanted opinions on the batt voltages and wanted to know if the screech means the starter has had it.

 

thanks steve. any advice on the screech?

 

but for how long. give it another few months and test the voltage again.

 

Any idea what the normal draw should be when the car is off?

 

oh sorry...I think the gear is just wearing....its been like that for 2 years no; no other issues.