Electrical problem
06-05-2005, 12:14 PM
#1
Electrical problem Just finished up my car after 3 months. Car was sitting with battery disconnected. It got a new motorand a bunch of other stuff. Upon firing it up, noticed my battery was dead. Charged it up with my home charger, and it started right up. Drove it around for a while, pulled into a parking lot and shut it off. Battery was dead, wouldn't start. The alternator won't charge the battery, or the battery won't hold charge.. not sure what it is. The battery and alt worked fine before install. What should i check? Car is a 2002 with stock batt and alt.
When i jump-start the car, the volts will be at 13, and once i start the car, the volts will just plummit.
When i jump-start the car, the volts will be at 13, and once i start the car, the volts will just plummit.
06-05-2005, 12:21 PM
#2
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I am guessing its the alternator, mine went out on me at about 40,000 miles. There is a way of checking to see if the alternator is still good, I dont remember though, its been a while since I had to deal with that.
06-05-2005, 12:49 PM
#4
Originally Posted by USMARINE1108
I bet something isn't connected, or something is crossed. If you have a schematic for the charging system, I'd start with that.
I never took the alternator out of the car, i zip tied it out of the way to the side if that makes a difference... I must have something connected wrong.
06-05-2005, 02:10 PM
#5
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Originally Posted by SiL3NtXWS6
I never took the alternator out of the car, i zip tied it out of the way to the side if that makes a difference... I must have something connected wrong.
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06-06-2005, 09:00 AM
#8
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Well charge the battery, or replace it. Then you can properly test the rest of the system.
The alternator is not designed to charge a dead battery, only to maintain a charged one. You will kill a good alternator quickly by asking it to charge a weak or dead battery often.
It takes 15 amps to run the car mininmum, add more for any accesory you have on. Doesn't leave alot left for the battery to be charged with. Then an alternator running at high/full output constantly produces alot of heat, thats what will kill it.
The alternator is not designed to charge a dead battery, only to maintain a charged one. You will kill a good alternator quickly by asking it to charge a weak or dead battery often.
It takes 15 amps to run the car mininmum, add more for any accesory you have on. Doesn't leave alot left for the battery to be charged with. Then an alternator running at high/full output constantly produces alot of heat, thats what will kill it.
06-06-2005, 12:30 PM
#9
I charged the battery with my charger earlier this week. I got the green light to come on the battery and it stayed there.
I don't think the alternator is bad. Unless they suddenly go bad at times? What do i check on it to make sure everything is working right?
I don't think the alternator is bad. Unless they suddenly go bad at times? What do i check on it to make sure everything is working right?
06-06-2005, 12:54 PM
#10
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Check for parasitic draw (excessive current while car is off).
Load test Alternator and Battery (Probably need to take them to a shop).
Check you battery cables for corrosion.
Also make sure you connected everything correctly.
Load test Alternator and Battery (Probably need to take them to a shop).
Check you battery cables for corrosion.
Also make sure you connected everything correctly.
