my battery died while getting oil change. i tested my altenator and it was bad. so i bought a new altenator and battery. now my battery is not staying charged! what could be the problem?
2006-09-12 07:24:01 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Is the chg light coming on? or if you have a charge gauge is it showing low (less than 13volts)
You may have a burnt out fusible link.
it is a fat piece of colored wire in the middle of
a smaller wire that is usually real near the battery.
They are really fuses. If the one going to the altenator burns up then the battery won't charge.
Look for burnt wires, blown fuses, or broken wires.
Did you hook the fat red wire back up to the altenator? Make sure the nut that holds it on is snug.
****COMPLETELY ignore what ldyrhiannon said above****
the Altenator DOES charge the battery......
2006-09-12 07:31:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I worked in a speed shop for 8yrs so I have seen so odd things. Is the vehicle stock, original pulley system? Some alternators have a minimum rpm b/4 the charging system cuts in. If you have underdrive pulleys it has lowered the idle rpm of the alternator. If you rev the engine up the charge system will jump in, but left at an idle the auto electrics is running direct off the battery. Also you don't mention accessories like a big stereo which can really draw juice. If the vehicle is stock, look to the regulator or you have an open circuit like an underhood light or trunk light or some accessory staying on. My friend had a 2006 Hemi Ram truck doing the same and the problem was underhood light was on.
2006-09-12 08:40:43 · answer #2 · answered by Dave S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If life and auto repair was so simple any moron with a wrench and screwdriver could do it even one that thinks the alternator does not keep the battery charged. (idyrhiannon)
You did not tell us what kind of vehicle you have, some systems are very complicated. Some Chrysler's and late model vehicles have the voltage regulator for the alternator built into the vehicle's computer (ECM) (PCM) With out the proper test equipment you will have no clue if you have a short draining the battery voltage, or a bad alternator or a wiring or other electrical problem.
Take it to an auto repair facility and have it diagnosed.
2006-09-12 07:48:28 · answer #3 · answered by Dave 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The alternator does not charge the battery. You need to get a new battery. The alternator is only responsible for supplying the charge for all the electrical equipment in your car. Also the batteries sole responsibility is to provide the spark to turn over the engine and the power to the alternator. The alternator does not supply the battery rather it is the other way around.
2006-09-12 07:30:39 · answer #4 · answered by ldyrhiannon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have a voltmeter? With the engine off, check the voltage across the battery terminals + to - . It should be about 12 v. Start the vehicle and check the voltage again, with the engine operating, the voltage should be about 13.5 to 14 v. If not, your new alternator is not working, take it back and have it check ed or exchange it for another. The new one should be under warranty. However, are you sure all the wires were properly installed and all the connections are tight? Check these first.
2006-09-12 07:37:00 · answer #5 · answered by jack w 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be a short somewhere else in the car causing the battery to drain overnight after you shut it down.
2006-09-12 07:38:49 · answer #6 · answered by normy in garden city 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know, sounds like you got screwed with a bum new alterator and battery, unless your alternator isn't hooked up right
2006-09-12 07:27:23 · answer #7 · answered by chavito 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is the regulator seperate or built into the alternator...??? If seperate, I'd be looking at this first.
2006-09-12 07:27:50 · answer #8 · answered by bl_freak 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋