CAMARO6 - View Single Post - Alternator only charges battery when the headlights are on

STYLO LT1 · 10-21-2022, 06:58 PM

Let me begin by apologizing for posting this here on the general section and not in the Camaro issues section. In my opinion it’s hard to get a quick answer when posting there. Unfortunately, batteries are not my expertise.

So I’ve noticed for the last 4-5 months that the battery voltage reading in the dash has been lingering in the 12.25-12.4V range when idling and driving. I’ve come to notice now that when I put the headlights on, the volt gauge reading goes up 14-14.5V and the battery will gradually charge up near 100%. Turn the headlights off and the voltage drops back down 12.3V range and battery % lowers. I have a Antigravity Batteries Battery Tracker device installed on the battery with the app on my phone. I’ll drive for an hour and the voltage gauge in the car will never go past 12.5V and the battery app says the battery is at 70% after said trip. It will only get to 100% when I flick the headlights on and drive the car for a while.

I bought a brand new AGM battery a couple days ago as it was losing its ability to maintain a charge. It could be at 100% one day, then 2 days later be at 75% just sitting. So even with the new battery, the gauge is always at @ 12.3 driving or idling. Is this a normal occurrence on these cars? Is a voltage reading of 12.3 at idle most of the time normal? Should the car bring the alternator up to 14V more often? Is the battery supposed to charge up to 100% with every drive? Could my alternator be the culprit? Any help and suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

10-21-2022, 06:58 PM	#1
STYLO LT1 Drives: 2016 Camaro SS Vert. Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Garden State Posts: 547	Alternator only charges battery when the headlights are on Let me begin by apologizing for posting this here on the general section and not in the Camaro issues section. In my opinion it’s hard to get a quick answer when posting there. Unfortunately, batteries are not my expertise. So I’ve noticed for the last 4-5 months that the battery voltage reading in the dash has been lingering in the 12.25-12.4V range when idling and driving. I’ve come to notice now that when I put the headlights on, the volt gauge reading goes up 14-14.5V and the battery will gradually charge up near 100%. Turn the headlights off and the voltage drops back down 12.3V range and battery % lowers. I have a Antigravity Batteries Battery Tracker device installed on the battery with the app on my phone. I’ll drive for an hour and the voltage gauge in the car will never go past 12.5V and the battery app says the battery is at 70% after said trip. It will only get to 100% when I flick the headlights on and drive the car for a while. I bought a brand new AGM battery a couple days ago as it was losing its ability to maintain a charge. It could be at 100% one day, then 2 days later be at 75% just sitting. So even with the new battery, the gauge is always at @ 12.3 driving or idling. Is this a normal occurrence on these cars? Is a voltage reading of 12.3 at idle most of the time normal? Should the car bring the alternator up to 14V more often? Is the battery supposed to charge up to 100% with every drive? Could my alternator be the culprit? Any help and suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.