Nissan Repair: 1992 nissan pathfinder, check voltage, nissan pathfinder

Question
My truck only starts when I jump it. I thought it was losing juice when parked overnight or for a long period of time but the other day a realized I parked crooked in my driveway and decided to straighten it out but in about 10-15 seconds I tried to restart and got a clicking sound as i turned the ignition. Any suggestions on what I should look at first? My first thought is the alternator. The battery is less than 4 months old. Thanks.

Answer
Hi CJ -

Get a voltmeter and test the battery. If you have 12 volts or more, it is not the alternator. Less than that, the alternator is probably not charging the battery. You can further test the alternator by jump starting the car and check voltage again at the battery, It should read about 14 volts. Turn on the headlamps at high beam, and it should not go below 12V.

You could also have a defective battery. To testthat, you must read at least 12 volts at the battery. While you have the voltmeter connected, try to start the car. If the voltage drops substantially, then the battery is defective.

Please try these tests and get back to me -

Aloha
calvin