Is my alternator the problem?

TheBocSez · 07-25-2004, 08:52 AM

I recently woke up to find my battery dead. I charged the battery and the car started fine. I didnt drive the car and left it parked overnight and the next day, the batt was dead again. I pulled the batt out and charged it with a charger, put it back in and the car started, next morning, same thing. I look at the batt and its 3 years old, living here in SA I figured, its probably ready for replacement. I put a new batt in this morning and It already seems to be draining.

Cant think of anything that would be causing a drain so heres what I have so far. I searched around and found a post that said the batt should read 12.66 v with car off, and 13.5 + with car and accessories on. I checked with a DVM and get a reading of 12.0 v with car off, with car on and accessories running (ac lights radio) I get a reading of 11.4v after letting it run for a while, I check the batt with the car off again and get a reading of 11.7v. So am I right in assuming the alt is dead?

I plan on taking it to Autozone for a test in the morning but wanted to see if I was on the right track.

The only other things that I changed at the time that the problem arose was cleaning the elements on the MAF and changed the fuel/oil and volt/water gauges on my stock cluster. I dont know if the circuit board was the same color or if it matters but all gauges except for the volt gauge is working.

I woke up this morning and the brand new batt is dead now :pissed: Is it possible for a bad alt to draw power from the batt when the car is not running? and enough power to kill the batt in about 10hrs? I always thought that if the alt went bad, it wouldnt charge the batt but didnt think that it could actually drain the batt while the car was parked over night.

Any help is appreciated.

Paul

**12second5.0** · 07-25-2004, 10:45 AM

Sounds like you have current draw somewhere.Ues a 12 volt test light.Disconnect your negative battery cable and run the light between the cable and the battery post.The light will light up.You also can use a voltmeter in between also.Start removeing fuses one by one until the light goes off.That should help narrow down the problem.Keep in mind some accessories such as your radio have memory.

TheBocSez · 07-26-2004, 10:01 AM

Turned out to be the alternator. Live and learn I guess. Thanks for the help 12second50

07-25-2004, 08:52 AM	#1
TheBocSez Professional Leash Holder Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Converse, TX Posts: 1,085 Trader Rating: (1)	Is my alternator the problem? I recently woke up to find my battery dead. I charged the battery and the car started fine. I didnt drive the car and left it parked overnight and the next day, the batt was dead again. I pulled the batt out and charged it with a charger, put it back in and the car started, next morning, same thing. I look at the batt and its 3 years old, living here in SA I figured, its probably ready for replacement. I put a new batt in this morning and It already seems to be draining. Cant think of anything that would be causing a drain so heres what I have so far. I searched around and found a post that said the batt should read 12.66 v with car off, and 13.5 + with car and accessories on. I checked with a DVM and get a reading of 12.0 v with car off, with car on and accessories running (ac lights radio) I get a reading of 11.4v after letting it run for a while, I check the batt with the car off again and get a reading of 11.7v. So am I right in assuming the alt is dead? I plan on taking it to Autozone for a test in the morning but wanted to see if I was on the right track. The only other things that I changed at the time that the problem arose was cleaning the elements on the MAF and changed the fuel/oil and volt/water gauges on my stock cluster. I dont know if the circuit board was the same color or if it matters but all gauges except for the volt gauge is working. I woke up this morning and the brand new batt is dead now :pissed: Is it possible for a bad alt to draw power from the batt when the car is not running? and enough power to kill the batt in about 10hrs? I always thought that if the alt went bad, it wouldnt charge the batt but didnt think that it could actually drain the batt while the car was parked over night. Any help is appreciated. Paul

07-25-2004, 10:45 AM	#2
12second5.0 Sie lieben, mich zu hassen! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Marion,Texas Posts: 9,015 Trader Rating: (0)	Sounds like you have current draw somewhere.Ues a 12 volt test light.Disconnect your negative battery cable and run the light between the cable and the battery post.The light will light up.You also can use a voltmeter in between also.Start removeing fuses one by one until the light goes off.That should help narrow down the problem.Keep in mind some accessories such as your radio have memory. __________________

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07-26-2004, 10:01 AM	#3
TheBocSez Professional Leash Holder Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Converse, TX Posts: 1,085 Trader Rating: (1)	Turned out to be the alternator. Live and learn I guess. Thanks for the help 12second50