Thread: Battery low on CCA

Went to the local kragens and had them test out my battery and they said when it was running it had about 130CCA when it requires over 500 so they claimed the alternator isn't charging it right therefore I need a new $80 alternator. True? I would think its the battery since its coming up on being 5 years old and has weak starts / doesn't hold a full charge

Hook a volt meter to your battery while the car is running. Read how many volts are present while the car is idling. It should read ~ 14 volts if your alternator is operating correctly.

Also, the CCA test cannot be 100% indicative of a failing alternator. It can, but it also cant at the same time.

If you drive for short periods of time and sit for long periods of time, the battery gets drained faster and not recharged.

I have had a Nissan OEM battery since 2005 and it still works fine.

14.5 from battery while running and 14.6 at the alt... I have a shitty battery though lol not OEM

I would say your charging system is ok and the battery is toasted.

ditto

agreed

I've never heard cold cranking amps used for alternator rating. AFAIK it is how much a battery can put out at 32 degrees at optimum charge.

A quick alternator test is to get a volt meter and touch one end to the case of the alternator and 1 end to the post while running, 14+ volts is the norm.

Your battery is probably shit. 140 cca will turn it over but it's on the way out.

Yeah it cranks SUPER slow too.. So that's the reason it was cranking so slow.... xD

Just an old weak battery. Judging from your voltages it's right on the high side, they're suppose to put out around 13.5 and 14.4v. If it's any higher it can cause problems. I had to replace mine last year cause a coolant hose went bad and soaked the voltage reg and it was putting out 19v. It blew up two sets of headlight bulbs and melted the elements in my rear bulbs.

Yeah when the car is off it was @ 12.6 which is perfect for the V although the CCA is crap... My brother just told me I can borrow his battery from his 240sx so I'll try that out and see how it runs..