[Healey3000]

Thoughts?

Hi,

While it may not explain the whole story, the battery voltage you measured sounds rather low, if it was indeed a no-load measurement. A healthy battery with a full charge should read around 14.4 volts or so.

It's possible that the charging circuit is not operating properly or that the battery is defective (it does happen, even with brand new ones). I would still expect the starter solenoid to click under these circumstances (do these cars even have one anymore, given that it could easily be an FET that would be noiseless).

 

[Healey3000]

Yup - I agree - 14.4 is a good alternator voltage - you won't see that with the battery at rest - 12.6-12.7V or so is a fully charged 6 cell lead-acid battery.

You are both correct - mental lapse there for a moment. Sorry for the misinformation!