battery drained, alternator?

C

cobra11182

Founding Member

Oct 19, 2000

265

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0

Baltimore, MD

Jun 1, 2004

#1

• Jun 1, 2004

• #1

I recently have had my battery die very quickly with everything off. So I put a multimeter in series with the positive post, and the positive cable, and with everything off, it read 3.6 amps! I pulled every fuse, and could not find the problem. I pulled the 3 wire harness from the top of the alternator, and it dropped to 0. So why would my alternator be drawing that much juice from the battery with everything off? Anybody had this problem, or have any ideas?

 

90mustangGT

I felt sorry for girls because

Founding Member

Jan 15, 2002

2,773

17

89

Dallas, GA

Jun 1, 2004

#2

• Jun 1, 2004

• #2

You probally have a bad diode, but I'm not sure. If there is a short in the alternator, it can be a cause of drain.

 

powershift351

New Member

Apr 2, 2004

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Carlsbad, Ca.

Jun 1, 2004

#3

• Jun 1, 2004

• #3

does the car run when it is started?

 

C

cobra11182

Founding Member

Oct 19, 2000

265

0

0

Baltimore, MD

Jun 1, 2004

#4

• Jun 1, 2004

• #4

yeah, it runs fine, and keeps a good charge, even at night with everything on. Just dies after 4-5 hours

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

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129

Jun 1, 2004

#5

• Jun 1, 2004

• #5

might try disconnecting the power cable from the alternator and see if your drain goes away. as Jason said, a bad diode in the alt allows juice to flow both ways (rather than one way like it should).

if you actually pull the alternator and have it bench tested (normally free at parts stores), they can tell you if it is faulty.
good luck.