Alternator issue, will not start

1997 LEXUS ES 330
220,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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AMERICANBLN1
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Will not start. Sunday everything was fine, go to leave for work Monday and car was acting like battery was dying. Charged it up, then after driving for a while turned car off for about three hours and I could tell it was dying again when I tried start again. Went and bought a new battery as this one is three years old, car started up fine right after replacing it. Let it sit over night now the car will not start again. (When I turn the key I can tell it wants to start, but will not). Is this an alternator issue?
Aug 14, 2018 at 10:08 AM
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ASEMASTER6371
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
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Good afternoon.

What is the voltage at the battery with the engine running? Lets see if the alternator is charging the battery.

Roy

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight
Aug 14, 2018 at 12:20 PM
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AMERICANBLN1
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I do not own a voltmeter so I could not tell you that. However, my diagnostic machine just showed that my battery was at 12.6 volts (with the car shut off). It also stated that the alternator is fine, but I honestly do not know how reliable its assessment is.
The strange thing is that when I get the car started, which is not fun, and drive it around, it will start right up for a couple hours then start delaying again.
Aug 14, 2018 at 12:35 PM
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ASEMASTER6371
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
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  • ASE Certified Mechanic
You need to get a voltmeter to do some tests. I need exact measurements of the voltage at the battery. Once we confirm that, we will do a parasitic draw test.

You need to get a voltmeter.

Roy
Aug 14, 2018 at 12:42 PM
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RENEE L
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Hello AMERICANBLN1,

Here is a link to Amazon's voltmeter page: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Voltmeter

Prices start at $9.00.

Thank you for using 2CarPros.com.

Renee
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Aug 14, 2018 at 4:24 PM
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