# Need to replace battery?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/need-to-replace-battery/38542>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** batteries, accord, alternators, honda\
**Created:** [October 24, 2009, 11:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/need-to-replace-battery/38542 "2009-10-24T11:51:02Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![John\_in\_Flint](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bb73d2/32.png) [@John\_in\_Flint](https://community.cartalk.com/u/John_in_Flint)\
**Post date:** [October 24, 2009, 11:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/need-to-replace-battery/38542/1 "2009-10-24T11:51:02Z")

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This one is generic: my daughter’s car apparently needs a new battery. Age of the present battery makes that reasonable (at least four years, came in used car), lights dim with engine off, etc. Is there a quick and reliable home check that her alternator is doing it’s job? In a 98 Honda Accord. All other systems A-OK.

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**Author:** ![jayhawkroy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jayhawkroy/32/33_2.png) [@jayhawkroy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jayhawkroy)\
**Post date:** [October 24, 2009, 1:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/need-to-replace-battery/38542/2 "2009-10-24T13:39:29Z")

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If you have a volt meter, check the alternator output at the battery, engine running. Should see around 13.6 as I recall. You could also take the car to an auto parts store like O’Reilly’s and they can load test it, if you want to take off the car.

I use the volt meter test as the first part of my decision-making process.

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**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\
**Post date:** [October 24, 2009, 1:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/need-to-replace-battery/38542/3 "2009-10-24T13:48:05Z")

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Raise engine rpm to 2000. Turn every electrical thing on. Read voltage. It should stay above 13.6 vdc.

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**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\
**Post date:** [October 24, 2009, 2:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/need-to-replace-battery/38542/4 "2009-10-24T14:17:26Z")

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Most auto parts stores will check the battery and the charging system for free.