Randolph wrote:
> I have to agree with CaptainKrunch on this one. If the voltage is
> about 14 V with the engine running and 10.9 V otherwise, then the
> charging system is fine and the battery has already failed. Trying to
> save money by delaying the replacement is short sighted as a bad
> battery will wear out you alternator prematurely.
>
> Since the car is a 2000 the battery is about 4 years old, and it is
> not unreasonable for the battery to die at that age.
>
> Franz Bestuchev wrote:
>>
>> CaptainKrunch wrote:
>>
>>> That voltage is too low. What you want to do is test the voltage
>>> while the car is running. If the voltage is in the 14 volt range
>>> while running then your battery is most likely shot. Load testing
>>> is a good way to test a battery.
>>>
>>> CaptainKrunch
>>>
>>> "joe" <nospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
>>> news:nospam-805195.18400421022004@netnews.comcast.net...
>>>
>>>> How can I tell if I need a new battery?
>>>>
>>>> A friend of mine tested it and it measured 10.9 volts. Is that bad
>>>> or good? It's a 2000 car with the original stock battery. Should I
>>>> replace it now, or wait a year or two more? What are the
>>>> signs/symptoms that I might need a new one or that it's getting
>>>> bad?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks!
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> That's not always a good indicator though. I just had to buy a
>> battery about a week after testing it, both with load and without -
>> tested just fine. Like I said though, a week later and it couldn't
>> even run the radio.
>>
>> I'd say wait until it dies, unless you depend on the car crucially.
>> Or you have money that you want to spend.

Just replaced the original battery in my '94 Integra. it was turning over
slower than normal. It turns over a lot faster now.

--
Bob Burns
Mill Hall PA
treborburns@earthlink.net