Car not charging

1977 TRIUMPH SPITFIRE
80,000 MILES • 1.5L • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL
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OWENDEREUS
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  • 3 POSTS
Hi, I have the car listed above it the 1500 model, which I just replaced the alternator on. The car still does not charge, and the alternator cables seem to be making good connections. Is there a short circuit somewhere? Or is it something else that prevents the car from charging? As well, the new battery seems to lose its charge very quickly while the car is both on and when it is off.
May 7, 2018 at 4:57 PM
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STEVE W.
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  • 15,116 POSTS
It sounds like you have a short somewhere else as well as a probable bad replacement alternator. Being a 1977 you can do an easy test. Remove the ground connection from the battery. Now remove the positive terminal. Next connect a simple test light between the battery positive post and the positive terminal. Reconnect the negative terminal. If you have a large draw the light will come on. Now start pulling the fuses one at a time. When you pull one and the light goes out you have the circuit with the problem. Do not forget to disconnect the alternator to check it and the coil. Being that the OEM system did not have many fuses this should not take long. You will be removing individual feed wires very quickly. Below is a 1976 to 1978 wiring diagram that might help. I would suggest that if you really intend on keeping/driving it has it be rewired with extra fuses. Many melted wires could happen with so few fuses.
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May 8, 2018 at 2:09 PM