Recently ive been having problems with my car holding a charge on its battery. Ill start it at my house, it will start right up, then ill turn the car off where ever it might be and it wont start up, and even with jumper cables it wont start up. Im thinking that i either have a bad alternator or possibly my battery isnt big enough. So what im getting at is, what amp battery should be used in a 88' T2. Or if anyone else has/is having this problem, what have you done to fix it.

 

Sounds like a dead cell in the battery have you checked the water levels? You must use distilled water to refill. I believe stock battery spec is 750 CCA. Sometimes the terminals are dirty sometimes the alternator connection is dirty. Sometimes the alternator wire is not in good condition. Start by checking to be sure your battery is 750 CCA. Next check water level, next check to make sure terminals are clean, If everything checks out, then check power output at alternator and then at battery should be near 13.5. Dont forget to check the belt tension on alternator if the output is low.

 

If your battery is bad, I would think it would still start when jumped.

What are the symptoms when it doesn't start. Does it crank slow? Not at all? No electrical power period? etc... etc...

 

when you have a dead cell sometimes it will not even jump, depending on which cell goes. but yes please answer his other questions and my list of things should be done as maintenance at least twice a year. (cleaning, water level, and belt tension that is)

 

Ah, didn't know that about a dead cell.

Erm, have you tried a different battery (jack one from another car or something)?

 

it will crank for a little bit then it sounds like its dying, think something like a toy that talks with dying batteries.... it will sound strong at first but as you keep going it gets slower and weaker and then its just a clicking noise, then nothing, if you let it sit over night though it will fire up.

 

hmmm

it ALMOST sounds like a starter......since the starter will crank fine when its cold....but I would do a proper load test on the battery (or just swap in a good one and try it) and test the charging capability of the alternator with a multi meter.....if the battery is charging and in good condition and it still doesn't crank when its hot - the problem is somewhere esle