If the problem was the wiring circuit to or from the alternator, that won't show up, testing alternator in store. The alternator itself, may be fine. The charging system needs to be checked on the vehicle.
To check for battery drain, you can check for excessive amp draw, everything turned off. Usually around.030 is normal, no where close to half amp. I don't have the exact spec in front of me. If the drain is excessive, you can pull fuses, one at a time, when you pull the fuse on the affected circuit, the drain will drop to normal. Check for any lites that may stay on, best time to check is in the dark. Ash-tray--glove-box--interior--under the hood-- in the trunk.
An older way to check for battery drain, is to take battery cable loose, use a testlite between end of cable and battery post, if the lite stays on, there is a drain. Then you do the same thing with fuses, one at a time. I think it is best to check amp draw.
Thursday, March 11th, 2010 AT 3:44 PM