• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Alternator possibly bad. thoughts?

  • Thread starter Thread starter DerekStangGT
  • Start date Start date Feb 18, 2008
D

DerekStangGT

My package is in the mail!
Feb 18, 2003
1,068
0
36
Feb 18, 2008
#1
  • Feb 18, 2008
  • #1
so long story short, i didnt drive my car for about 2 months, and the battery was dead when i went to start it. no biggie, jumped it and went on my way. now though, if i dont drive the car every day, the battery dies when i go to start it up. since yesterday, it didnt even have a charge after 4 hours. i have an aftermarket alarm and stereo system, but they have been on the car for years, so i dont see how they could all of a sudden start a draw on the battery. im almost certain i need a new alternator, but i dont have access to a charging system tester to let me know for sure. btw the battery is a red top optima, about 2 years old.
 

fobra559

At least it's more erect and not floppy anymore.
Nov 1, 2007
721
0
0
Lindsay, CA
Feb 19, 2008
#2
  • Feb 19, 2008
  • #2
I'm thinking it's the alternator but to be sure, the charging tester would nice to check on before you go about replacing the alternator.
 

the98stang

Active Member
Aug 12, 2005
2,408
0
47
Clovis, CA
Feb 19, 2008
#3
  • Feb 19, 2008
  • #3
From what your telling me, it sounds like the battery can't hold a charge anymore. Take it to autozone or Pep boys and have it tested for free. They can test your alternator as well.
 
D

DerekStangGT

My package is in the mail!
Feb 18, 2003
1,068
0
36
Feb 20, 2008
#4
  • Feb 20, 2008
  • #4
ok, so my battery and charging system checked out ok. the battery was low at 419 amps, and said it should be charged. anyway, so theres some sort of parasitic draw. its gotta be the stereo system since i unplugged the alarm and the battery still went dead. so my question is are there any known problems with draining the battery?
 
B

blubullett

Member
Jun 22, 2006
535
6
18
Modesto, CA
Feb 21, 2008
#5
  • Feb 21, 2008
  • #5
If your battery was only at 419 amps right after you drove it to autozone (its charging while your driving) than it is probably bad. They dont like to be left dead for 2 months, optima or not.
 

MaxxMundo

Member
Mar 16, 2004
0
0
6
Albany, Georgia
Feb 21, 2008
#6
  • Feb 21, 2008
  • #6
DerekStangGT said:
so my question is are there any known problems with draining the battery?
Click to expand...

I'd like to know this too.

I've got an optima red top, also, and my battery would drain overnight. I took it to Autozone and Advanced Auto parts and the both said I had a slow drain. I took it too a shop and they said they traced it to my Mach 460 amps. They unplugged those and my battery doesn't drain, but now I have another problem, that I don't want to discuss here because I don't want to thread jack.

Would factory amps do this, or is there anything else floating around that would cause our cars just drain batteries out of the blue?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Alternator not charging
  • SchwarzStock
  • Jul 6, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
105
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jul 19, 2026
SchwarzStock
J
1990 fox starts on starting fluid only
  • Jfox
  • May 14, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
9
Views
216
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- May 15, 2026
AeroCoupe
Electrical Issues with my 2006 mustang gt
  • VerneVdV
  • May 22, 2026
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech
Replies
0
Views
107
2005 - 2009 Specific Tech May 22, 2026
VerneVdV
E
2007 GT Stalls when lights or a/c turned on
  • ejscarfo
  • Jun 22, 2026
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech
Replies
2
Views
148
2005 - 2009 Specific Tech Jun 29, 2026
ejscarfo
E
A
Resolved Electrical Help Please
  • Alabama
  • Jan 22, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
300
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jan 22, 2026
AeroCoupe
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?