Car is not starting. Why? (Brain Buster)

A

Arauz

Spectator
Ok, here are the series of events that occurred up until where I am writing now.

First, the car wouldn't start 3 days ago. Figured it was the battery since I heard clicking with the turn of the key. Then I changed the battery (Optima Red Top). Hoorrray! it fixed the problem. For now.

The next day I took my car to the mechanic to get my rotors machined and pads changed. I parked it and when I tried to start it again, it wouldn't start. Battery was dead and it wouldn't recharge. Figured it was the alternator not charging the battery. Replaced the alternator.

That same day, I was at an intersection when first, my speakers died, then my radio, then my car died at idle. Got a starter pack and started the car but the car didn't even stay on for 5 minutes until it died again. This time we figured it was a bad battery. Went to Change the battery and replaced it (Optima Red top)

That Same night, went to the meet and got there fine. 25 Minute drive south. Chilled whatever, then 5 minutes into my way back home same deal. Car started slowing down, I would push the gas all the way down but nothing would happen until ONCE again it Died. Checked the Battery...Dead. Got a Starter pack and gave it juice but again didn't last not even 5 minutes.

What the hell could this be? :confused::confused::confused:I'm almost sure its electrical cause the alternator has been replaced as well as the battery...Twice.

SFLDrifters I need your help.
 
So do you think that the alternator they replaced is bad? or is it just bad wiring between the alternator and battery?
 
Check for a voltage drop on your car, you might have something on all the time you dont know about, with a volt meter on the amp setting, disconnect your ground wire on your battery, Put your power lead on the ground terminal on the battery and the ground lead on the ground wire for the battery, should be around i cant remember exactly but somewhere around .3 mili-amps is ok, something like 25mili-amps or something outrageous means something is still on while your car is off and is killing your battery, thats the only thing I can think of, right now.

DONT NOT MEASURE AMPS ON YOUR BATTERY WITH YOUR METER YOU WILL BLOW YOUR METERS FUSE, YOU CAN ONLY MEASURE VOLTAGE.
 
question.. have u checked if it mest up ur NEW alternator? cuz if it is.. its something that messing it up then it would cause the battery to die. it happend with my friend. alternator took a dump, jumped it. and wouldnt even turn on for 5 sec's so check how ur alternator is doing now.
 
yeah gonna check the alternator, could an alarm drain the battery by any chance? It is always on...
 
^if it always going off yea it will but just in arm mode then no if wired correctly.

Also another thing i remember to check to see if your alternator is working, measure voltage coming from the alternator if you got 12-14 volts it working fine.
 
S13 Slide said:
^if it always going off yea it will but just in arm mode then no if wired correctly.

Also another thing i remember to check to see if your alternator is working, measure voltage coming from the alternator if you got 12-14 volts it working fine.
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actually 13-15 is fine. 12v would be considered weak. first what i would do is at night look around too see if any lights stay on. take out the back seats and make sure the trunk light doesnt stay on and check for the undehood light also. chances are that if your car is dying while running then the alternator is the problem or you have a really high draw. also check that the alternator is getting a sensing voltage. usually a small wire like 16 or 14 gauge is used. if its not hooked up it will cause this problem. it happened with me on my old car
 
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easy way to check to alternator is to start the car then unplug the battery if it doesnt stay running its the alternator.
 
z3r0 said:
easy way to check to alternator is to start the car then unplug the battery if it doesnt stay running its the alternator.
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thats to check if its charging in the first place and it doesnt necessarly mean the alternator its self is bad. could be voltage reg, or no sensing voltage, even a bad positive cable could cause the condition.
 
Just changed the alternator (again), the alternator/ac/power steering lines as well. So far everything is running good. Gonna wait 1-2 days to be sure though. Covered up some wires too.
 
the flea market, why do they sell bad alternators there?:p

I got it through my mechanic, not sure where but Ill ask
 
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