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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 76
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 76 |
Hi there,
I noticed this red color through the little round peep window on my battery. It was green before. What could this mean? my car is 97 2.5L and I'm on the original battery.
I checked my Haynes manual but found no info about this peep window.
Thanks for any input.
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 3,636
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 3,636 |
If it works like the GM/AC Delco batteries, Red means you are at less than 50% charged and you need to slowly charge your battery with something like a trickle charger.
I would check if your alternator is producting enough voltage. (I don't have it before me, but I suspect that when the engine is running the alternator needs to produce 13.5-14.5V)
So, unless you know you've run your accessories/lights without running the engine recently, you need to know why the battery is discharged.
HTH,
TB
Tony Boner Personal: 98cdw27@charter.net Work: tony.boner@sun.com Saving the computer world from WinBloze as Unix/Solaris/Java Guru http://www.sun.com 1998 Contour SVT Pre-E1 618/6535 Born On Date: 4/30/1997 Now with Aussie Bar induced mild oversteer.
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 33
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I had the same problem a few years ago. I checked the battery and it was also red. Dealer could not find anything wrong. Next day, battery was green. I did not run accessories or put a heavy load on the battery. I have a 97 Contour, 147K miles, original battery and alternator. I probably will be buying a new battery in a few months though. I think it's lived a very full life.
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 76
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Just would like you be posted.
I DIYed a constant current charger, hooked it up to the battery, and charged it at 1.5A. 3 hours later the red is gone and green came in. I guess javacontour is right on. I'll keep it charging until morning.
By the way, I've been driven short trips most of the time for about 1/2 year. Perhaps that's why battery got drained low.
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 33
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That'll do it. I drive usually highway!
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 100
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That thing is supposed to tell you if your water is low in the battery. If your cells are not covered with enough water and are getting exposed it will make the battery lose its charge quicker.
1998 SVT #95: Toreador Red - SHM headers,K&N Filter, Energy Suspension MM inserts, Cross Drilled Rotors,Redline Tranny Fluid, Custom Billet Aluminum Shift Knob
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,861
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Originally posted by SVT#95:
That thing is supposed to tell you if your water is low in the battery. If your cells are not covered with enough water and are getting exposed it will make the battery lose its charge quicker. No. It is a hydrometer. It's color is based on the specific gravity of the battery fluid, an indication of the state of charge. If the battery does not change to green from a trickle charge it can also mean that the battery is shot and needs to be replaced.
Jim Johnson
98 SVT
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Joined: May 2000
Posts: 323
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So does it indicate low charge or low water or both?
'98 SVT
KKM / TH fix / Mobil 1 / Synth tranny cocktail / JVC LX-30 HU / 10" JL sub / Alpine V12 amp / Panther 199 wheels / Kuhmo Ecsta 215/45/17 / Bosch +4 / Ford Motorsport wires
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Joined: Sep 2000
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Low charge. If it is out of water, the eye will not have any color. It turns black.
Jim Johnson
98 SVT
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