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Charging issue

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Old Oct 14, 2007 | 10:37 AM
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Default Charging issue

Posted this already in the external section but haven't had any luck so thought I would post it in here.

I have a drycell battery and can't seem to get it to stay charged. I put in a new alt and no luck. I checked my fuses and no luck. When I jump start the car it fires right up @ 13.37 volts but when I release the jumper cables it slowly falls back down. 11.27, 11.26, 11.24, etc. Until it gets around 9 something and the car cuts off. The battery holds the charge if I shut the car off as I have jumped it then let it sit for awhile and it still reads 11.67 volts. I'm at the end of my rope with this car

Is there any write ups out there for rewiring everything to the trunk? This under the hood stuff sucks to work on. Always have to jack the car up to get under there!
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Old Oct 14, 2007 | 01:19 PM
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How long does it take for your battery to drain? Check your battery/ground cables. I'd maybe try pulling fuses to all the stuff you don't need to run the car and see if that helps.
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Old Oct 14, 2007 | 04:25 PM
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It will run for approximately 2-3 minutes then sputter and die.
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Old Oct 14, 2007 | 04:46 PM
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your battery is too drained, get a trickle charger and let it sit for about 6 hours then start it.
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Old Oct 14, 2007 | 08:42 PM
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You shouldn't even need a battery at all other than starting the car....
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Old Oct 14, 2007 | 11:30 PM
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Originally Posted by dragonrage
You shouldn't even need a battery at all other than starting the car....
That's what I thought but apparently I was wrong cause the damn thing keeps dying. I watch the voltage drop little by little with the meter and then it dies.
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Old Oct 15, 2007 | 12:07 PM
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You know, just putting in a new alternator doesn't necessarily mean your charging system is working.
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Old Oct 15, 2007 | 06:33 PM
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I checked the wire from the Alt and was getting 11.67 volts. I tried 3 batteries and none of them could start the car! The car only starts when it is being jumped by a running car. Again it drained down when I removed the jumper cables. What could be causing this kind of drain? I have my gauges wired into the IGN slot but doubt they would drain the system like that. It almost appears it is draining faster than the alt can charge it. I'm no electronic guru but this is just my assumption. So if it is way off I apologize for sounding stupid!
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Old Oct 15, 2007 | 06:58 PM
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you can take your alternator to a shop and they can test it for free.
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Old Oct 15, 2007 | 11:31 PM
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Your alt should put out more than 11.6 volts.
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Old Oct 15, 2007 | 11:46 PM
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Wouldn't the fact that two other fully charged (1 new) batteries couldn't start the car indicate something is draining power?
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Old Oct 16, 2007 | 12:12 AM
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Have you added any electrical stuff to the car at all? If so how long ago?
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Old Oct 16, 2007 | 07:20 AM
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Your wires could be corroded too much to allow much current to flow through them.
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Old Oct 16, 2007 | 04:31 PM
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Every cable in the car is brand new. The only things added were the gauges. I don't think they can drain the battery this much since it was running fine with 4 of them and now there are 3 more but 3 gauges shouldn't draw that much. I may have to bight the bullet and take it to a shop!
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Old Oct 16, 2007 | 05:24 PM
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Did you check the wire harness that plugs into the alternator? It might be pinched or not making a good connection.
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Old Oct 16, 2007 | 08:11 PM
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Yeah it's good. I doble checked it today and no luck. I really have no clue on this!
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Old Oct 17, 2007 | 11:49 AM
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Go to your local autozone they should be able to test out your alternator and battery for free.
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