Donyo

I recently replaced my old battery with a new one. Everything was fine at first I ran a few errands but once I got close to home the oil light came on, the brake light came on and the battery light came on then the car died. I took the battery to walmart and had them recharge it. I took out the alternator earlier today and had it tested they said it was in good condition. Checked all fuses and they are all in good condition as well. Anyone have any idea what this could be?

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Overlooking the obvious, it is the correct battery type? The more likely is the alternator. Everything all plugged in?

Donyo

As far as I know its the correct battery type. I got it from walmart and they have that machine that tells you which battery you need. I went and got the alternator checked a few hours ago and they said it was fine. Everything was fine until I changed the battery.

sdls

when the car is running, what is the voltage at the battery terminals?

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

make sure the battery terminals are properly tightened and that the grounds are right. also make sure you reconnected the alternator up properly.

Donyo

yeah alternator was put in correctly. I did notice some corrosion on one of the battery cables think that could be it?

Imperium11

its possible, sounds more like a contributing factor than the full cause, either way take some sand paper and clean off all the cables and terminals really well and see if that fixes it

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

Sounds like the alternator is not doing it's job.

etex

+1 for alternator.

Donyo

yeah but I got the alternator tested and it was fine. I don't want to have to shell out more cash for an alternator and still end up with the same problem.

trukn1

There isn't too many other things that would involve the electrical system that can cause that. Clean the terminals as well as the cables, make sure that the cables are TIGHT(common problem with them not being tight enough). It COULD actually be a bad battery as well, provided everything else has been done properly that was listed. It may be possible that one of the cells in the battery s bad (happened to me not long ago). Ruling all of that out, then it would have to be the alternator. Most of the time the voltage regulators within them goes bad and only start to work on an intermittent basis. This was my case after going thru my ENTIRE electrical system for more than 6 months. Would up being, yet another, bad alternator. The one's I was getting were reman'ed and I kept taking them back, under warranty. I think I went thru 5 or 6 before I got tired of the crap, went to a bone yard and luckily found one from an SC400 and used that. Have not had a problem since. As others have stated,,,REALLY sounds like your alternator is taking a crap.

Donyo

yeah I thought it was a bad cell but I exchanged it for another one this morning. It hasn't died on me yet but the battery light oil light and the brake light still come on when I slow down and at a complete stop. So really even if the alternator tested ok it could still be something wrong with it and I should just go ahead and replace the alternator? I'm running out of options so I think I might just do that.

trukn1

Average drive time that a bettery to last, without being properly charged by the alternator is about 20-30 minutes. Yes, the alternator should be replaced as it sounds like the voltage regulator is not working properly. Is the alternator new? used? remanufactured? Has been my experience that most places/stores that sell reman'ed alternators WILL NOT/DO NOT replace the voltage regulators within them. Other than making sure your cable connections are tight, this is where your problem lies.

Donyo

ok, thanks for your help I guess I'll go ahead and buy a new alternator and go that route

deanshark

Alternator. I had mine tested when I had the exact symptoms as you and it tested OK, but it wasn't. As trukn1 said, the battery will only last about 20-30 minutes. Until I fixed it I used to keep a spare fully charged battery in the trunk. I was driving like that for a while just switching batteries when the car died and charge them both at night. I picked up a used alternator about a year ago and haven't had any more problems with that.