When you start your car, does the battery dash light come on? If not, thats your problem. I had the same problem a few months ago and it took me forever to figure that out. When the light comes on, it tells the alt. to start charging. If it doesn't come on, you will get nothing from the alt., even if it's fine. Hope this helps.
I'm with these guys: Take a voltage reading from the battery with the car running - watch it for a few minutes and see if it decreases. It should be 14+ volts or so at the battery with the car running.
If it is decreasing, I would suggest checking out the wire that goes to from the starter solonoid to the alternator...the fusible link that connects to the starter solonoid could also be bad, so see if it's melted or anything (it's the green 14ga wire connected to the starter solonoid - same side as battery pos. cable).
If it is decreasing, I would suggest checking out the wire that goes to from the starter solonoid to the alternator...the fusible link that connects to the starter solonoid could also be bad, so see if it's melted or anything (it's the green 14ga wire connected to the starter solonoid - same side as battery pos. cable).
this may help you...Scroll down the page see what I have referenced in above post.
http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden//carfaq4.htm
http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden//carfaq4.htm
Troubleshooting battery drains...
Typically it is something draining the battery. Small things like glove box or courtesy lights are often the culprits. If you have an aftermarket stereo or alarm system, it is also suspect.
The ideal method is to disconnect the positive terminal, and connect a Digital Multimeter (DVM) between the positive terminal on the battery and the positive cable. Set the DVM on a low current scale of 2-5 amps if it doesn't auto range. Watch the current draw, and then start pulling out fuses. When you see a sudden drop in the current, that circuit is the likely culprit. Note that the computer, radio & clock will draw less than 1/10 amp to keep the settings alive.
See http://assets.fluke.com/appnotes/automotive/beatbook.pdf. You will need the Adobe Acrobat viewer which is also a free download – http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
Typically it is something draining the battery. Small things like glove box or courtesy lights are often the culprits. If you have an aftermarket stereo or alarm system, it is also suspect.
The ideal method is to disconnect the positive terminal, and connect a Digital Multimeter (DVM) between the positive terminal on the battery and the positive cable. Set the DVM on a low current scale of 2-5 amps if it doesn't auto range. Watch the current draw, and then start pulling out fuses. When you see a sudden drop in the current, that circuit is the likely culprit. Note that the computer, radio & clock will draw less than 1/10 amp to keep the settings alive.
See http://assets.fluke.com/appnotes/automotive/beatbook.pdf. You will need the Adobe Acrobat viewer which is also a free download – http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html