Just replaced my alternator and battery, but the car is still sucking the battery dry. My assumption is something's preventing the Alt from charging the Battery.

Any tips/info/insight?

 

With the key on make sure the battery light in the cluster comes on, and that you have ~2VDC on the small red wire connected to the back of the alt. before you start the car.

 

No Battery light. And no volt tester... but that little red wire that connects to uh.. what looks like a senor os sorts going into the engine? Like 4in long thin wire?

 

Attached shows the alternator connections.

There will also be a wire close by that goes to the oil pressure sensor in the block, unrelated to the charging system.

 

Okay, everything's connected proper. Battery's dead though, and no volt tester. I charge the battery for a bit and the car runs, then putters to death. Is that big red wire the one responsible for keeping the battery charged?

Also, I think somethings pulling on the battery even when the car's off.

Edit: Alternator and battery both tested out good at Kragen

 

It might be fuse 13 or the light might be burned out.

Without battery voltage being applied to the small red wire (through the batt light) the alternator will not charge.

 

What's that box at the top? Looking through everything... that might be where I'm having a connection problem

 

Problem found. Mechanics that replaced the lead wire a couple months ago... didn't... connect it...

 

Glad your problem is fixed, you wouldn't believe how often I work on a friend's car and find that the mechanics at the shop have botched something simple like that.

 

bubba240,

Having the same charging problem. After a new battery from one repair shop, a new voltage regulator from another, just checked myself to find fuse 13 missing. If this solves my problem I owe you big, big thanks!!