Battery, alternator or somrthing else?

Question

2 weeks ago I replaced my battery. Today when I tried to start it, it didn't start. I jump started and took the car to autozone for them to test the battery. When they were doing the test the car died and had to be jumped started again. When they went to test the alternator the car died again. They said it was the alternator so I took the alternator off and took it back to be tested. Autozone said it was fine. I didn't have the battery with me. Do I put the alternator back on? Get a new battery? Is something else going on? Could a radio drain a battery?

Answer 1

First off,don't go to Autozone! Ever! You didn't say what kind of car you have or how old it is? Then go to a place that actually fixes automobiles. Many places will check out you battery or car and give you a better answer. Autozone just wants to sell you a part! Whether you need it or not!

Answer 2

Yes a radio can drain the battery if there is a short!! Put the alternator back in charge the battery and start it!! This is a trick while the car is running unhook the ground cable(which is the one with the minus on it) from the battery, if the car stays on then your alternator is good!! If your battery is no good it will not hold a charge in the first place!! Is the car not starting if it has been sitting for a day or two? But it was running fine before that then you have a short somewhere in the car that is draining the battery!! It is really difficult and stressful to find a short in a car so you should take it to a mechanic that is good with electrical on car!! Good luck!!!

Answer 3

A couple of things are going on here.

1 There might not any power going to the battery. You need to see if the fuse is blown.

2 The serpentine belt may not be Tight enough to turn the alternator, thus not sending enough power out to run the car and charge the battery.

3 The alternator is bad, not putting out enough power.

4 There is a short in the electrical system, draining power from the battery. ( a wire is warn through and touching the frame of the car)

With a good battery, you should be able to play the radio for 6-8 hours without worry of draining the battery. Provided it is factory radio, and you don't have amps and larger speakers going.

In any case unless your auto knowledgeable, take it to the shop.

Answer 4

Could just be something simple...the wiring to the battery.
Watch these repair places, they want money and may tell u anything.
Check water in the battery, make sure the cables are straight and connected.
Could be the starter switch if it isnt the battery or alternator.
Radio will only drain the battery if the car is sitting and off.
It is most lightly the cable wire aint connected tight.

Answer 5

it's probably not the battery from what you described. it is a charging problem, I worked in an autoparts store and you might want to bring it to another store have it checked, I have seen people hook them up wrong and get a bad reading...look at all your connections and wires to see how they look... If you have a short somewhere that can drain your battery, BUT that's not it, if your alt was good the car would run until you shut it off...

Answer 6

From your details, it is seen that the battery has not been isolated and tested. Each cells electrollyte should be checked for the specific gravity and also cells for reverse polarity. If this had been done already and electrolyte is good and no reverse polarity exists, then battery should be good and should look for other items in the starting circuit. If problem exist in reverse polarity this can be corrected.
VR

Answer 7

if it's not your battery or the alternator, try checking all of your plugs and wires also check to see if maybe you have a bad connection on your battery.

Answer 8

you could have a direct short look for bare wires also check to make sure every bolt is tight when you get it started again start smelling under the hood and look for sparks or burn marks