alternator issue

1997 OLDSMOBILE AURORA
182,000 MILES
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VEEJAY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
was told i had a bad alternator. took to shop was told alternator good battery was bad. replaced battery and 7 days later battery is completely drained which is why i was told originally that the alternator was the cause of draining battery.should i have replaced both or is common n these cars
Dec 4, 2011 at 5:24 AM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 110,194 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
First, make sure when the "NEW" battery was installed, the battery terminals were tight. Next,recharge the battery so you can start the car. When you do this, use a volt gauge and check the battery. You should see 12v (aprox). Next, start the engine and recheck the battery. You should see 14+v. If you don't, have the alt rechecked. If it shows good, chances are the fuseable link between the alt and battery is bad and not allowing power to flow from the alt to the battery.

Let me know if you have other questions.
Dec 4, 2011 at 5:30 AM
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