What voltage should my Chevy Malibu be at?

Voltage Range for Chevy Malibu
A new fully charged 12-volt battery in a Chevy Malibu should be at around 12.7 volts at a specific temperature. However, the voltage can vary based on demand and conditions, and it is normal for the battery voltage to change while driving. The battery voltage can be around 12.4 volts during the day and can go up to 13.9 volts at night, and these variations are considered normal operational behavior.
The “battery saver active” on the Chevrolet Malibu indicates that the electrical system voltage has dropped to a critical level, typically below 11.7 volts. When this feature is active, non-essential functions may stop or run slower, and it’s important to get the vehicle checked because it means the battery is not properly charging.
It’s also worth noting that car batteries typically carry 12 to 13 volts, unless a high-performance battery is installed. It’s recommended to have the battery tested frequently for drops in voltage to ensure it’s operating at a high level.
In summary, the voltage range for a Chevy Malibu’s battery can vary from 12.4 volts during the day to 13.9 volts at night, with the “battery saver active” feature indicating a critical voltage drop below 11.7 volts .
If you have any further questions or need additional information, feel free to ask!

Is 13.9 battery voltage good?

The ideal car battery voltage with the engine running is between 13.7 and 14.7V. With the engine off, you should get a reading of 12.6 volts. If the battery isn’t fully charged, it will diminish to 12.4V at 75%, 12V when it’s only operating at 25%, and down to 11.9V when it’s completely discharged.

What are signs of a bad alternator?

How Do You Know if a Car Alternator is Bad?

• Trouble starting your car.
• Frequent stalling.
• Whining or screeching noise after the vehicle starts.
• Dim or overly bright lights.
• Smell of burning rubber or wires.
• Dead battery.
• Battery dashboard warning light is on.

What is a bad alternator voltage reading?

If the voltage does not change when the engine is started, or if it does not read between a minimum of 13 volts and a maximum of 15 volts, the alternator may be faulty.

Is 15.2 volts too high for alternator?

If the voltmeter reads between 14-15 volts then the battery is normal. But if the battery reads over 15 volts or less than 13 volts, then there might be a problem with the alternator. The alternator is over charging the battery or not giving enough charge to the battery.

What should my car voltage be?

When we take a closer look, we see car battery voltage can range anywhere from 12.6 to 14.4. With the engine off, the fully charged car battery voltage will measure 12.6 volts. This is known as “resting voltage.” When the engine is running, battery voltage will typically rise to 13.5 to 14.5 volts.

What is normal alternator voltage?

The alternator output voltage is a crucial parameter. For the most cars, the regular voltage is considered to be from 13.8 up to 14.4V – regardless of the engine operation mode and the number of the consumers that are on.

How do you tell if it’s your battery or alternator?

An effective method to determine whether it’s your battery or alternator that’s gone bad is to connect jumper cables from a running vehicle’s battery to yours. After a few moments, try starting your vehicle. Once it’s started, remove the jumper cables — if your engine stalls, your alternator has probably gone bad.

How does a car act when the alternator is going out?

SLOW OR MALFUNCTIONING ACCESSORIES
If you notice your windows taking longer than usual to roll up or down, or if your seat warmers feel “off,” or even if your speedometer and other instruments start going haywire while the vehicle is running, you may have an alternator problem.

What voltage is too high for a car?

Car Battery Voltage Too High When Running
If the voltage on your voltmeter is between 12.4 and 12.8, your battery is in good health. But if the voltage is more than 12.9 volts, it is a sign that your battery has excessive voltage, which can be a daunting situation for you.

What voltage is low for car?

If the reading is below 12.6 volts, the battery isn’t fully charged.