So I watch my guages religously, while the car is "on" and while the engine is running. When the engines running im showing 14ish volts all the time its always steady. But for a while now I've noticed it getting harder and harder to start. I would put it to "on" (i usually leave it there for a second or two and just check over the vokt guage) it used to be higher maybe right around 12 but then last night it was lower and it cranked really low and started. then today it has about 8 when its "on" and i tryed to start it and its just nothing.

im pretty sure its the battery but i figured id get some opinions anyways

 

sounds like a battery. how old is your battery? they typically last 5 years.

 

The 14 volts with engine on, is your charge (float) voltage and that indicates your alternator is working correctly. Typically the charge voltage is 1 1/2 to 2 volts greather than the battery (12 volts).

Your car battery alone is 12 volts, therefore if you go "iginition on" (engine not running) and you're only indicating only about 8 volts, that is an indication the battery is bad and not taking a charge. Or, you could have a bad battery connection dropping some voltage.

 

A battery is 12.6 volts. Each cell is 2.1 volts. A battery that shows 12 volts is slightly discharged.

 

well the battery is chillen in my garage right now and im gonna get it checked tomorrow and if its bad then ill buy a new one.. what kind of battery should i buy? i dont want to spend a fortune because unfortunate for my timing.. my car is going to my neighbor on monday to have the transmission built up (FOR FREE!!!!) but i gotta buy some gaskets a filter and fluid so money isnt very short.. but short none the less

 

whatbattery am i supposed to get? I have the battery pepboys gave me in the car and its pushing up on the rubber piece behind the headlight and it looks like its pinching some tube thats between the headlight housing and the battery. It looks like its just too big... the battery they gave me is
group-75
size-9074222
part#75-650e

and when i tighten the bolt for the hold down clamp it never makes the battery snug it just seems like its going to then comes off the little edge of the battery and thats it