Is my alternator going?
Ok, so I have a volt gauge in my car. Lets not get into the debate as to why one needs a volt gauge in one's car. Needless to say, it gets to -50 here regularly, that's why.

Typically it reads a running voltage of 14-14.5 V. Not too sure of a non-running voltage, but if memory serves, it's around 13 V.

Right now I am pulling a running voltage of 13 V and standing voltage of about 12.

I cleaned the battery terminals, one had a bit of corrosion on it. Currently it is still at the same levels, after charging, and a run around the highway.

I drove home yesterday from the lake, figure about 100 km, and it was fine. I just noticed this today.

For the record, the battery is max 2 years old. I have no aftermarket accessories running (with the obvious exception of the volt gauge). Simple aftermarket stereo, no subs. All I have extra is fog lights, which are not on.

I will take a multimeter to it to make sure it's not the gauge shorting or mis-reading, but the battery charger also read the same voltage when I put it on.

Car is an 03 ES, has 67, 000 miles on it (107,000km)

 

It could be your alt. starting to go, but the car is a 12 volt system so 13 running 12 standing is okay. The fact that you are getting more voltage when the RPMs are up is saying that the alt is still working. Good job looking for corrosion I would also check the belt tension just to make sure.

 

If you want to see if your alternator is doing the job right...

Start the car
Disconnect the battery.

If your car dies, your alternator is dead.
If your car keeps going, your alternator is good.

Now that you know, reconnect the battery and take appropriate actions.

 

Check the alternator physically. My 2003 Evo 8 original alternator housing bolts came loose and the entire alternator nearly fell apart in my hands when I removed it from the car.

 

Did the battery light come on, on your dash?

 

Quick question. Sorry, but I didnt wanna start a whole new thread for this. Does the 2002 Lancer OZ have an expansion tank for the engine coolant? I'm pretty sure I can just take off the rad cap and pour it straight into the radiator but I wanna be sure first cause the coolant jug says that how you do it depends on whether you have an expansion tank or not. Thanks.

 

I had a similar problem with my alternator, turns out it was slowly killing my battery

Replaced the alternator, no more problems

it has an overflow tank

 

So how do I pour my coolant in? Can I just take off the rad cap and pour it in that way or do I pour it into the coolant reservoir?

 

Rad cap.
Please, please please. Make sure the car has cooled down before you open that up.

 

Yeah, I know that much. haha

 

^^That is very true if the alternator is completely shot However if it is on its way out as he does still have some extra voltage It could be enough to keep the car running. I would take it out and go to an auto parts store with a computerized starter/alternator tester they will test it for free and will give you a definate answer if the alternator is the issue. If not you can go from there eg. take where your grounds connect to your body and engine and clean those as well.