Okay, I have this '77 Chevy El Camino. well it is my husbands. but I am driving it while he is overseas right now. anyway, exactly one month ago I had to take it to my mechanic as the battery was not good in it along with a few other things. but now the battery is dead, and I bought a brand new battery. Should the battery have gone dead after only one month? Could there be something else maybe draining the battery? like possibly the alternator? or something else?
2007-06-23 04:10:40 · 13 answers · asked by Katherine S 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
if it is the alternator, how much should it cost me to have that replaced/fixed? how long should it take to have it fixed/replaced?
2007-06-23 04:59:00 · update #1
It's very possible the alternator has gone bad and is not charging the battery anymore. They can do a simple test to see if that is the problem.
2007-06-23 04:13:55 · answer #1 · answered by Allan P 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
1. Remove one battery terminal & fully charge the battery.
2. Switch off all accessories.
3. Touch the terminal to the battery. There should be no sign of a spark.
4. Check that the belt is in good condition & tight. If you sharply increase the RPM's & hear a squeal, then replace the belt.
5. Check the alternator. With the engine idling in PARK check touch a flat screwdriver on the rear bearing. If bearing is magnetized, then alternator is charging.
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2007-06-23 11:27:14 · answer #2 · answered by Mr. T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be the alternator or a constant drain - like a short or a light that stays on. Ask the mechanic. Possbly a bad battery but not too likely.
2007-06-23 11:14:09 · answer #3 · answered by Moondog 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Any drain while the engine is not running could cause this. The alternator if its not charging enough can do this. You need the right person working on this.Have the person (explain ) the reason they want to replace parts and how they came to the conclusion. Thats the test of a parts changer or a technician.
2007-06-23 11:24:17 · answer #4 · answered by wreck and rust 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you took the vehicle in the first time,it should have been check thoroughly by the mechanic,battery,belts,battery terminals,alternator,and any sign of short circuit,that might be draining the battery!
2007-06-23 11:19:25 · answer #5 · answered by jose_valle76 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like the alternator. but you could have something else draining the batery while the car is off. you can take a test light and check at the batery by removing one cable and attaching the test light clamp on the cable and touching the battery post with the probe
2007-06-23 11:16:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if its got a weak cell, it can go dead, sitting around. it depends also, how old the battery is, usually you can only get about 4 to 5 yrs out of a battery. if the alternator isnt charging, i would think the light would come on.also a loose belt can keep the battery from being charged.
2007-06-23 11:18:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Test battery, test charging system, clean and tighten battery cables (most important) and test for parasitic drain on battery while car is not running.
2007-06-23 11:14:14 · answer #8 · answered by K R 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
alternator
2007-06-23 11:14:46 · answer #9 · answered by angela c 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Charge the battery fully and take it somewhere and have the charging system tested.
2007-06-23 11:13:47 · answer #10 · answered by Ron B 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋