I have a 97 Dodge Intedpid 3.5 The battery keeps dying I'll jump it it'll run good the next day it's dead

Question

did test on alternator and it passed, the battery is good it passed, got new terminals but guy said it needs new battery wires. I can jump my car drive it somewhere turn it off and turn it on and it works but if i leave it sit for more than 2 or 3 hours it dies and i have to be jumped again.

Answer 1

If it has the original alternator in it, it may have a burned rectifier in it.
A rectifier basically is a big diode and allows current to flow in one direction only.
If you have a bad rectifier, the alternator will charge properly while the engine is running, but when you turn the engine off the alternator becomes a draw on the battery.

If after turning off the car, the alternator remains hot after half an hour or so, that's your problem.

Answer 2

It sounds like you have a small electrical drain ,to test if you do have one,remove your negative wire from the battery post,then gently try to get it as close to the post so both surfaces barely touch,if there is a spark you probably have a battery drain someplace,to do this you will have to disconnect your alarm system if you happen to have one,usually electrical drains are in the alternator housing

Answer 3

i own a shop and you need to take it to a good shop and have them do draw check on it to see if it has something draining the power from the battery,i would replace the cables though if they needed it,but have a draw test done on it, this will tell if there's something draining the battery in it,that's the only way to find out for sure with it,good luck hope this helps.

Answer 4

Sounds like you have a short in the system. If you added/replaced a radio recently check your wiring. If not, then you may need to take the car to the shop and get it fixed, don't be surprized if it takes a few days for them to fix it.