1995 Oldsmobile 88 Battery drain while driving

DDEMPDD

MEMBER
1995 OLDSMOBILE 88
120,000 MILES

Engine will die after driving, battery goes dead. Can jump the car and drive it a little farther and it dies again. Have replaced the alternator 3 times and the battery is new. No voltage (.2VDC) being read out of the alternator big wire. Where does the small red wire go to and how do I test it, for continuity or for voltage or both? I need the small red wire end point and location on a connector. Any troubleshooting tips would be appreciated? Thanks!

3 Replies

KONDWANI PHAMBANA

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Well looking at it if u say u replaced the alternator three times. I would say try and change the wires too, it can either be burnt, cut or may be at the end of the wire can be some rust or dirt blocking the end connectors to the wire. Check on the terminals too, because its very unlikely to have bought 3 spoiled alternators

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Saturday, July 13th, 2013 AT 1:17 AM

KONDWANI PHAMBANA

MEMBER
3 POSTS

The small red wire is the one that is responsible to switch off the battery signal on the dash, which shows that ur car is charging. When u start ur car remove one end of the battery terminal, prefarebly the negative to avoid any shorting, if the car goes off then the alternator is not charging at all.

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Saturday, July 13th, 2013 AT 1:23 AM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Bid red wire needs 12 volts all the time. It is run from the battery. The small wires, red is ignition controlled and has a fuse. Check all fuses with a test light. The other is the wire for the alt light.

Roy

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Saturday, July 13th, 2013 AT 3:38 AM