Low Battery Voltage

[2004lesabre333]

The battery voltage on my 2004 lesabre drops to 12.2 from 12.6 over 24hrs is that normal. The battery is only one yr. old. The alternator puts out 14v.


With winter coming I don't want to have a problem with this.

Also can someone tell me if there was a problem with the ignition switches on these models because I bought this used and the previous owner had the ignition switch changed.


Thanks,Jim

 

[ryenie]

I would consider it a little worrisome. Have you been able to check to see how much it drops if allowed to sit for a longer period of time? When you first turn the car off the battery should be above the 12.76 mark and slowly drop as it looses it's surface charge. This drop should only take 5-10 minutes and should settle between 12.76 to 12.67 volts or very close to it to call it a good battery. If you have a larger drop and it keeps dropping it sounds like you have a parasitic drain and it would be easier to watch this youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF1gijj03_0 video on it than explain it in this post. Only thing important to mention as i don't know if he covered it in the video. Before doing the test all the modules need to be asleep. It takes anywhere from 10 minutes to 30 minutes for the modules to go to sleep from the time you remove the key and lock and close the door. Opening the door, hitting the unlock button on the key fob, opening the trunk, basically doing anything other than pulling fuses can wake the modules up and you will have to start over.

 

[NFortin198]

I would first check to make sure that the hood and trunk lights, if you have them, are turning off. Easy enough to do just by closing the lids almost all the way and looking through the opening. I have seen trunk lights shut off when the lid is about 3/4 closed, but when it is just about to latch shut, it kicks back on.

 

[edieken]

its easy to check trunk light with out crawling in ,Put your I phone on video and lay it in trunk ,If video goes dark after shutting lid it works.

 

[Glenn W]

Shove your little brother in the trunk with an iPhone and close the lid. Tell him to call you if the light doesn't go off 😉

 

[Lubener]

Have him knock three times if the light is on......

Seriously, don't overlook the battery. Might want to get it tested. I had a newer one go bad.

 

[HotZ28]

Seriously, don't overlook the battery. Might want to get it tested. I had a newer one go bad.

All batteries are now outsourced to the lowest bidder, mostly going south of the border! No longer do we have the 8-yr life span & the result is a 1-3 year life is more normal, 5-yr life is exceptional. Load test as mentioned and always required!