Battery draining fast

Tiny
GEMINI777
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 FORD MUSTANG
  • 3.8L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 315,000 MILES
A couple of days ago I went to town, when I tried to start car it would not. It did jump off and was able to get it home. It will run for a minute or two then the battery gauge slowly drops and then it shuts off. I assumed the alternator was bad, I have just put a brand new one on there, and it is still doing it. Battery has a good charge. What else could it be?
Tuesday, January 10th, 2017 AT 9:57 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
Measure the battery voltage while the engine is running and tell me what you find.
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Tuesday, January 10th, 2017 AT 3:02 PM
Tiny
JOHNNY G.JR
  • MECHANIC
  • 320 POSTS
If battery is so/so alternator will not charge. Slowly charge the battery overnight. Take it to a local garage or parts store and have it load tested. From there proceed with alternator testing, a reading from 13-14.7 would be good depending upon the load placed on it, radio, lights, fan, defroster, etc.
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Tuesday, January 10th, 2017 AT 3:42 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Hey GEMINI777,

Here are a couple easy tests that will show you what the problem is.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Please run some tests and get back to us so we can continue helping you.

Best, Ken
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Saturday, January 14th, 2017 AT 11:51 PM

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