SLVRGS

my 95 has been acting up on me lately,almost everytime I got to start it, the battery is dead, when I jump it it runs fine, with all the accessories on and everything it runs fine for long periods of time, seems to still run off the alternaotor, I have had the battery fully charged and tested and it tests good. I have had the same problem with my other car in the past and these dumb mechanics never figured it out that the problem was the alternator, cause the battery was fully charged obviously the car is gonna be able to get a bunch of starts off of the new battery. I am almost 100% positive there is no short or drain (I know how to check that also). I am just thinking the alternator is putting off what it needs to to run the car but nothing to keep the battery charged. What does anybody think? Thanks

LB Lex

Since you are almost 100% sure there is no short or drain, and the battery is good, then the alternator is the problem. How about the wiring from the alternator to the battery, are those in good condition?


Oh, if you can figure out a way to check it, the alternator should be putting out around 14 volts to the battery. If it's not, then the alternator is the culprit for sure.

link13

I had the same symptoms as you and it was my starter. The battery tested good and the alternator was charging. The starter was the culprit. Oddly enough, it started ok w/ a jump and my brother could get it to start by screwing around with the key while in the ignition.

LB Lex

Link13- I also had the same problem as you and it ended up being the starter also (I also find it odd that sometimes jumping a car with a failing starter works. Happened to me too). I think Chmpgns' problem is a little different because his good battery keeps going dead (I had this problem too ) He should check the voltage when the car is running to make sure the alternator is giving out 14.5 volts. He said that once it's started it runs fine but for some reason the battery does not get charged, so I think the alternator is starting to fail because it's not putting out the required amount of volts.

My two cents.

gompka

iTrader: (6)

i had a similar problem, my battery kept going dead. I found out that the bulb in the trunk was staying on 24/7. However even on a fresh battery with everything on. Both power seats, all the lights 80w man, 100 w fog, and the defroster and the heat on full blast voltage does go down to like 11 volts. However under normal conditions mine stays 14.5

SLVRGS

Yeah I have heard similar situations with the starter but thats not my case cause my car loses all its power, I am gonna have to check if there is somekind of drain, maybe my trunk light is stayin on all the time or somethin else, I don't know, I will have to check it out it is just too damn cold and snowy here to be out side workin on a car. It just sucks cause I am about to put it up for sale, exaclty the things I didn't want to run into, my car just must be mad at me for getting a new one..

Hey Gompka where is the actuator for the trunk light, is it right by the latch?

I will just give it to my buddy who has a repair shop after I try a couple things as u guys suggested, it just seems like they don't have any better troubleshooting skills than we do.

thanks

LB Lex

Have you figured out the problem yet?

SLVRGS

It is my alternator, I jump it and it starts fine but when all the accesories are on or I hit the brakes the battery just sucks down and the battery light comes on. I got the alternator I just have to get it put on. Right now the car is just sittin in my driveway and I am not driving it and the weather here is rediculous so I am in no rush. Hopefully the car won't give me anymore problems before I put it for sale......

LB Lex

Cool, I'm glad you found the problem