Thought it'd be a simple situation, but it's a basic battery vs alternator q. I was driving home after doing some light work on the car the other night (oil, headlight bulb, tightening ic piping couplers). at one point the voltmeter on the turbo timer started flashing 11.4v. I was cruising 70mph on the highway, and wanted to just make it home. It stayed from 11.4-11.1v for about 15min. All of a sudden it jumped back up to 14.2v, and stayed there til i got home. This was all highway driving. Ran the car again today to see issues. Car started w 14v, then dipped to 11.3v 10min later and stayed there. I hear no belt squealing- thought maybe some oil spillage got onto the belt. Only accessory running were the headlights- i dimmed the dashlights all the way.
1. Im confused because I didn't think the car would stay running for that long with only 11volts, what's the lowest amount of voltage necessary? I'm kinda sick and trying to get her done in one shot. Not sure if I should try to chance a drive to autozone to get the charging system tested or not in current state.
2. The battery is a blue top Optima, clamps are only couple months old and clean. Is there a chance it could be the battery, and not the alternator?
1. Im confused because I didn't think the car would stay running for that long with only 11volts, what's the lowest amount of voltage necessary? I'm kinda sick and trying to get her done in one shot. Not sure if I should try to chance a drive to autozone to get the charging system tested or not in current state.
2. The battery is a blue top Optima, clamps are only couple months old and clean. Is there a chance it could be the battery, and not the alternator?