Topic: Won't run at all - thinking (hoping) it's electrical
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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stingrayjim jr said:
Wouldn't hurt to have the alternator tested.... batteries can all of a sudden go belly up, and Ken is probably correct in thinking a bad cell in the battery. Each cell in a battery puts out about 2.2 volts, fully charged battery is around 12.6 to 12.8 volts. The alternator should be putting out around 13-14 volts... Costco does have a pretty good warranty for their(our) batteries(I work for Interstate Batteries).... we see a lot of 'good' batteries in their core pile that we pick up, so they really don't inspect they battery all that well that I've seen.(heck if I didn't already work for a battery company I would join Costco and buy a battery from them, their price is hard to beat) Hopefully it is just a battery issue and not something deeper. If you have a voltmeter that you can use at the battery while the car is running you can do a preliminary check to make sure you alternator is at least putting out voltage. :)
-Jim - has Costco always carried Interstates? The one I bought two years ago (the one that failed) didn't say Interstate on the case like the new one does - it just had the Kirkland logo. I know that doesn't mean anything - costco just re-labels everything -- but was just curious if the old one was an Interstate as well.
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
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So...you basically ran outta gas, eh? 
Battery failures are quirky....ya just never know when they'll give up the ghost, but you can bet is will always be at the worst possible time....
Glad ya got it working!
Battery failures are quirky....ya just never know when they'll give up the ghost, but you can bet is will always be at the worst possible time....
Glad ya got it working!
Joel Adams
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stingrayjim jr said:
Wouldn't hurt to have the alternator tested.... batteries can all of a sudden go belly up, and Ken is probably correct in thinking a bad cell in the battery. Each cell in a battery puts out about 2.2 volts, fully charged battery is around 12.6 to 12.8 volts. The alternator should be putting out around 13-14 volts... Costco does have a pretty good warranty for their(our) batteries(I work for Interstate Batteries).... we see a lot of 'good' batteries in their core pile that we pick up, so they really don't inspect they battery all that well that I've seen.(heck if I didn't already work for a battery company I would join Costco and buy a battery from them, their price is hard to beat) Hopefully it is just a battery issue and not something deeper. If you have a voltmeter that you can use at the battery while the car is running you can do a preliminary check to make sure you alternator is at least putting out voltage. :)
Hey Jim, are all batteries made by Johnson Controls now?
Lifetime MemberSHELBYVILLE, TN - USA
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Vette(s): 1976 L48 auto
1978 L82 4speed
1994 LT1 6speed
1978 L82 4speed
1994 LT1 6speed
Costco's batteries are Johnson Control products, and as of a few years ago, they were labeled Kirkland, and were delivered directly from a Johnson Control plant. Now your local Interstate distributor supplies Costco with their batteries. Yes, same battery, just a little bit of a name change on the label.Joel is right, batteries can be quirky when they decide to give up the ghost.
|UPDATED|7/23/2015 11:14:57 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Johnson doesn't make "all" the batteries now, Deka/East Penn and Exide are still out there, but Johnson has probably half if not more sales.
|UPDATED|7/23/2015 11:14:57 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
StingrayJim 
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Stingray's '76���������������������������� StingrayJr's '78���������������������������Lil Red '94 
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Thanks for the info, everyone! Just glad I have a running car again!
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
in Forum: C3 Electrical
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