New battery or alternator?

[Buffwesty]

Hi guys.

I have been finding the car has been harder to start recently on these cold mornings and also my dashcam hasn't been charging properly.

How can I tell if it is a battery I need for of the alternator is not doing it's job?

Many thanks.

Ben

 

[olliecampbell]

Until your car is running your battery is providing the car’s entire electrical current. I'd pop in to halfords and get them to check it for you unless you have a multimeter?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[piglet14]

As above, check it's charging at around 13.8-14v with a multimeter.
Quikfits will test it for free then tell you it's knackered just to get a sale.
Can't comment on Halfrauds.

 

[Buffwesty]

Thank you for your replies.
So if it is charging at the correct voltage, it would mean the battery is not holding charge?
So the battery is at fault.

If it isn't charging at that amount, the alternator is knackered?

Thanks.

 

[piglet14]

Correct

 

[Buffwesty]

Thanks.
Do I just attach the multimeter to the battery terminals?

 

[piglet14]

Yes, push the leads directly on the battery posts before starting, you should see around 12v.
Then get an assistant to start it and you will see the Voltage drop during cranking, a healthy battery shouldn't drop much below 11v.
When it starts the voltage should climb to 14v or therabouts in a few seconds.
I said hold the leads directly onto the posts to eliminate poor battery connection.
How old is your battery?