Battery Drain While Running & Not

tito911s · 05-15-2007, 11:18 AM

I look forward to the day I'm giving advice instead of asking for it. Until then, I hope I can get some feedback on this devil of an electrical issue.

Have a problem with the alternator light not coming “on” when the ignition is turned on. A related problem MAY BE the speedometer not working (or works sporadically while driivng), and “jumping” when we turn on the lights (and the car is off), and turn the dash lights up or down. Rebuilt the alternator . . . so I don't think that's it. With the motor running not getting a greater charge (at say 14 volts). It stays flat at under 12 volts, with no real explanation as to why. This could be the alternator despite my efforts (I admit - maybe my screw up in the way I put it back together - but I dont think so), the regulator or grounding (a bare wire, or whatever) somewhere in the car.

Another problem is a VERY SMALL drain on the system when everything is turned off.

There is power to the generator light in the dash (checked this last weekend), but the red light does not go on, apparently because the ground wire connection is not closed. It is true that unlike other lights that are “grounded” automatically by the car’s body to which they are attached, this generator light is actually protected from the usual grounding, and has a separate grounding wire that goes through some other device.

Don't think the battery is the cuplrit as I changed out my battery for a friends . . . and when he put it back in his car he commented that the electric windows did not operate well (suggesting battery drain).

9dreizig · 05-15-2007, 11:27 AM

Sounds to me like you may have not hooked up the Alternator correctly when you re-installed it ( happened to mine when it was taken apart)..

tito911s · 05-15-2007, 01:10 PM

What mistake did you make when you initially installed?

9dreizig · 05-15-2007, 01:29 PM

I didn't make a mistake the party that did ( who shall remain nameless here hehehe but his initials are is CB) didn't hook up the regulator, causing no charge and the light didn't go on.. If you're not getting 13.8 Volts you've got a alternator issue..