BATTERY GOING DEAD

Tiny
RANDALL729
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
  • 4.6L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 142,000 MILES
The "new" alternator went bad . Could a defective alternator drain the battery? Since the new alternator, have not had to charge the battery.
Sunday, September 8th, 2019 AT 9:54 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello, I'm Danny.

The purpose of the alternator is to keep the battery charged. Your car will only run so long with the alternator not recharging the battery while running and with accessories turned on. Hope this helps and thanks for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
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Monday, September 9th, 2019 AT 11:59 AM
Tiny
RANDALL729
  • MEMBER
  • 59 POSTS
If the car was sitting for 4 days and then the battery goes dead. Could the alternator have done this? It was found to be that the alternator was putting out 11.8 volts so I replaced it. I don't know of anything else that would drain the battery in 4 days other than the bad alternator. Thank you.
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Monday, September 9th, 2019 AT 12:26 PM
Tiny
DANNY L
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,648 POSTS
Hello again.

Alternators should be putting out a minimum of 13.5 volts with car running. You might have a drain somewhere if the battery dies after 4 days. If you have access to a test light here is what you can do. First read these tutorials on how to use a test light and how to check wiring.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

What you can do is disconnect the batteries negative cable and hook the test light between the negative cable itself and the negative battery terminal.Chances are the tester will light up showing there is a rain.Then one by one start removing the fuses. When you come upon the drain by pulling fuses the light will dramatically dim or go off.You will then know the circuit that needs to be checked/fixed/repaired.Hope this helps and again thanks for using 2CarPros.

Danny-
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Monday, September 9th, 2019 AT 12:45 PM

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