battery wont hold charge and alternator is good what else could it be?
6 Answers
littlehorn answered 17 years ago
One possible problem is a short in the wiring to the battery. If the alternator is "putting out," so to speak, and the battery is good, then the current is not getting to the battery. What is the condition of both battery cables? Also, you could have a parasitic drain from an electrical option gone bad or an electrical short. Try testing the system for leakdown with the vehicle off. Put a test light between the negative battery post and negative battery cable to ground. If it glows, there's something "on" that is pulling current off the battery and causing it to die.
agreed, but could also be a bad battery or alt.auto stores check them both ,but not under a load.
i also agree with the prior sugestions but it could also be something as simple as the altenator not being grounded to the engine i know this may sound stupid it it does happen check the contacts on the altenator and make sure that you have a solid ground to the block
I am having a similar issue with my mercury sable. There are times when I go to start the car and there doesn't seem to be any power but if I shake the battery or wiggle the cables, the power comes right on so the car starts right up. I had the battery and charging system checked without the car running and all checked out perfectly. Then I had it tested with the car running and it checked out perfectly again. Any suggestions?
