I have rea through the posts and tried the suggestions but I can not seem to figure out this electrical problem i am having. the battery light came on the other day, I think it was after something clipped the bottom of my car. I have had the battery, alternator checked out by sears and autozone. I looked for the grounds and did not feel or see anything wrong. I could not find the main harness ground. It killed the new battery i bought within a day. When I test it with a metter it says 12.0v, but once i turn car on it drops to red. could there be somehting i am missing? a ground? is there a service manual anyone knows about.
I know its alot but I am out of options and stuck and have to get to work in the morning.
Thanks far any help guys.
email: prowler2177@yahoo.com if anyone has a service manual or know of one they can send.
curtis
1992 sc300 manual

 

are you sure your alternator is ok? do you have a power steering pump leak? If so, it might be the culprit.

 

K, Do this.

Loosen battery connections. Have someone hold them tight to start the car. Remove battery cables. Does the car die?

If yes then it is your alternator.

Jonny

 

yes I DO HAVE A power steering pump leak.. you think that may be it? I t does die when i take it off battery.. and try to run just the alternator. i decided to drop it at electical shop tonight.. wish me luck on keeping price to repair down before the holiday. any more suggestions would be helpful so i know what the guy finds is legit.

 

lol, yeh its the power steering pump leaking on the alternator. it could be a hard hose or the pump seals.

 

On the SC300, the alternator is on the left side (passenger), while the power steering reservoir and the pump is on the right side (driver's). Therefore it is impossible for it to drip onto the alternator.

Members here forget to differentiate between the two models.

I recently had my alternator fail. It drained my battery, and made my battery light come on. My battery was old, so I replaced it. Only to find the real culprit (the alternator) a few days later. My friend changed the alternator. But he didn't recharge the battery, as he said...it charged itself (when he started the car). Well...my car wouldn't crank because of the low battery. Recharged it and things are fine now. (So don't forget to recharge the battery).

Considering you mentioned something may have clipped the bottom...all I can say is...time to take a very thorough look underneath.

Good luck...