New battery, but not charging
Ok, this problem started when I used a small air pump to inflate a pool. The air pump was plugged into the cigarette lighter. The engine was running for quite a long time at idle. Following this obviously dumb mistake, I drove it home to find that the battery indicator light came on and the battery showed no charge. Then the engine died. I tried starting it and it just clicked.
Frustrated I waited until morning and it started up, so I took it and had the battery checked, As soon as I got to the auto center it died... dead, wouldn't start. The auto center checked it, and it was dead. Got a new battery, and they also replaced the end connectors that attach to the battery because they were corroded.
I started the engine, drove home and again the battery light was on and showed very low charge on the instrument panel and the engine stopped again. Ok, I think I need to check the battery cables, alternator, and possible fuses for the problem. What if anything can I do other than this?
Also, I have heard that you can check the alternator by starting the car and disconnecting the neg. terminal to see if the engine continues to run or quits. Have you heard of this method and will it work? I need some advice.
People just call a REAL technician and 9/10 they will offer advise. You Need an Alternator A Bad battery will NEVER turn on a Alt Light. The extra pump as a load burnt out the alternator as it is NOT desinged to do it for extended periods of time. I am not saying it could not do it ... If you propped a screw driver against the gas pedal and kept the RPM 's up to about 2000 RPM it wiould have handled the extra load. As far as remove the cable while the engine is running is the quickest way to DESTROY an alternator as it need the battery as a load to the rectifier and Diodes to work properly With out that there it will burn up in no time.
Everything that you have explained sounds like it is leading you in the direction of the alternator, it could be weak where as it gets heated up its going to not produce the voltage needed. try jumping it (if battery is dead) after removing your jumpers if it dies right away its your altenator or if it does stay running turn on all your acc.(ac fan, lights, stereo) if it dies then its your altenator. check your connections on the altenator first, at last you need to keep in mind that there are probally a couple of applications (depending on year) for altenators so have your numbers ready. the negative cable does work its the altenator that keeps the motor running the battery is for acc. this does not apply to all vehicles though. i dont reccommend it cuz a slip of the wrench or the wrong move and your going to eat battery acid. the gut is saying altenator.
I want to thank you for your help, got my explorer to local autozone, they tested the alternator and it was very weak, almost dead. Got new alt and put it on today and it is doing great. Shows battery charged and running. I also want to thank Autozone for great customer service. Thanks !
I am having the same problems, I have replaced the alt.,twice, and a new battery. Things worked great for aboaut three weeks,yesterday it died again,I put the battery on charge and it starts but shows that it is not charging to the full capacity, at least on the gauge. I hope some one can help me!
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