Hi, I just bought a New Battery from Auto Zone (800)crank
Its suppose to be one of there best.
I have a cauge on dashboard, now it has two lines and the needle if the battery is good, it goes from the middle to the right position. But it heads toward the left but still within the good range. I took it for a long ride to make sure it was charged good. But it still seems to be heading left on the gauge. Do I have anything to worry about, winter coming on and I take long trips, I dont want to take any chances.
For $85.00 I would think it would always show very strong or am I wrong? Thanks

 

I'm not sure what kind of gauge you are talking about..is it a voltmeter? Ammeter? What kind and year of car?

Either way, if its moving around very much, sounds more like you have an alternator or charging circuit problem, unlikely it's a battery problem.

If it's a voltmeter, when you turn on headlights or heater/AC fan, the needle may drop a bit. Turn them off it should come back up. Ammeters will show higner when you have more electrical items turned on, then lower when you turn them off. Of course this is depending all on how it is wired and what it is supposed to show. Do you have your owners manual?

 

Thanks for the reply, >>You said
If it's a voltmeter, when you turn on headlights or heater/AC fan, the needle may drop a bit. Turn them off it should come back up
It does come back up a bit, but for a new battery I would expect it to stay atleast in the middle of the guage. I have a 1991 Plymouth acclaim!

 

Well, the only way to really know would be to use a voltmeter. It may be perfectly fine. Is it the same indications as your old battery? Why did you replace the battery anyway?

The new battery doesn't make any difference (well, not much of one) in the gauge. Its not like batteries in a flashlight that lose the charge and the light gets dimmer over time.

A 5 year old car battery that has been well maintained and a brand new batttery may read almost the exact same voltage. The old one may not hold that voltage under a load as well, like when you are trying to start on a very cold day.

If it's within the green on your gauge (if it has color codes) then it's probably fine.

The only way, as I said, would be to do some basic DIY tests or take it somewhere and have them do a charging system test.

It could be (if there really is a problem) as simple as a worn/loose belt or a partly bad alternator.