Battery Dying Immediately, Stalling Car!

[EMJ]

'88 Carrera 3.2
Daily Driver
158,500 miles
New Battery
New Alternator

A few days ago in a rain storm I got a flickering battery light on the dash. The battery is 2 months old and a new alternator was installed a month ago. Within 15 miles the battery was dead. I got a jump, drove another 10 miles, battery dead. Took out the battery, got it charged to max 850 CCA's, put back in the car, battery light still flickering on the dash. Took the car out this morning, battery dead within 5 miles, pulled over, stuck again.

I checked the battery cables to ensure they're securely tightened, didn't notice any disconnected wires, but I haven't had a chance to really look deep or check for a short. DME relay is good, had that checked last week, but I haven't checked any fuses or anything else. Seems like a short somewhere since the battery is getting drained immediately. Any ideas?

Have the feeling it's something simple but I'd appreciate your help in what I should focus on. Hoping it's a simple fuse or relay....

Thanks for your help!

[scottb]

Though you had it charged, did you get the battery load-tested?

Have you checked the alternator output?

You're right, it sounds like you have a short somewhere, but since the battery and alternator are relatively new, I'd check and rule them out first.

[911pcars]

Battery dead or battery connections dead?

If the battery tested good, then it's probably the latter.

Sherwood

[EMJ]

Thanks for the replies...

The alternator is actually not showing low voltage per my voltage meter, but my battery is down to less than 5 volts within 15 miles of driving on a fully charged battery. I was thinking battery cable myself but would this kill my battery so quickly?

Didn't get the battery load tested, but definitely something to consider.

[84_Carrera]

You can kill off the battery with a bad alt. Sounds like you had a new battery put in, with a bad alt, then replaced the alt.

I made sure I replaced both at the same time.

[teenerted1]

the red light coming on is an ALTERNATOR light

battery isnt used to keep the car running...used to start the car...if the light comes on there isnt enough voltage to run car and charge the battery. if the alternator isnt running well enough to keep the car running...you are running off the battery and will die once it is out of juice.

have the alternator and the REGULATOR checked. need to be putting out 13.5-14 volts to recharge battery AND run the car.

[EMJ]

Good points, guys. I should've prefaced my original post with possible issues other than a defective alternator that was just put in. Was hoping I wouldn't have to go through the towing to the shop ordeal. My suspected default was a defective alternator, although when the last one went a month ago, I could drive for a couple of days on a recharged battery. This new battery gets drained in minutes which is what's surprising.

Also, this time the battery light flickers on the dash -- didn't happen last time but I suspect my mechanic might've reconnected the wires when he put in the new alternator last month.

Thanks for the posts -- keep them coming if you think there could be something else that's the culprit. Looks like I'll have to tow it tomorrow to the shop for a new alternator. Good thing the alternator is on warranty, so I'm covered.

Thanks again!

[911pcars]

With that discharge rate, it sounds like the battery is discharging through the alternator (as in faulty alternator).

Sherwood

[kidrock]

I gotta agree. I was concerned because you stated the alternator had been recently replaced. But all the symptoms sound exactly like a bad alternator pulling all the juice from yer battery..............

[cdrik915]

Check the battery with motor on and note the voltage.
Check the battery with motor off an note the voltage.

If there is no difference between the two , your alternator not charge the battery .

You can run until this one has no voltage .

[EMJ]

Well, guys, good job on the troubleshooting. Turns out the recently replaced alternator was bad. Replaced under warranty, no charge. Upgraded the battery to an Interstate 860 CCA and car's back on the road again.

Thanks for all of your help.