Looks like I'm not going to work today....

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Oct 27, 2006 | 01:33 AM

red90q

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Looks like I'm not going to work today....

Its 4:30am, down to the garage, turn the key, not enough juice in the battery to turn on a flashlight let alone my f##king car! Ok so I've had this problem for a while and I should have done something about it along time ago. If I could kick myself in the head I would!
I drove her yesterday fine, parked in the garage about 2pm. This morning...nothing! The battery is on the bench on a charge..AGAIN. I'll try doing that battery drain test again. Last time I did it there was 0mmA drain. How bout the alternator? How would I know if its that causing my grief? Checked for Gremlins and mice, cant find them. Its 5:30am now. This cup of tea isnt doing it for me!

Oct 27, 2006 | 01:52 AM

red90q

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Will try this later...

Oct 27, 2006 | 05:14 AM

Regenmeister

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WHAT???? Go ahead but I would not even entertain such an idea....

There are better ways than that.

Oct 27, 2006 | 06:01 AM

4corners

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EZ old school no tools required alternator test............

Start engine and turn the lights on. Rev it and if the lights get brighter with the higher revs the alternator is charging.

Oct 27, 2006 | 06:01 AM

red90q

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Yeah I was thinking about that...

not a good idea. Didnt do it.
Here are my results in testing:
Battery: 11.96v
Current drain between grnd and grnd post: .03-.04mA
I dont see that draining my battery over a period of 14 hours. This is with no accesories turned on.
Any other ideas guys?

Oct 27, 2006 | 06:03 AM

4Driver4

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Second. That's a horrible idea.

The charging system needs a functional battery to regulate the alternator output correct. Remove the battery and the alternator goes full bore. Much of the electrical system will be very unhappy on 16ish volts.

Oct 27, 2006 | 06:12 AM

Regenmeister

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Heres a couple of things to test....

!/ Connect (+) multi-meter to negative side of battery. Connect (-) to a good ground on car. If you get a reading you have a drain. Check the Bentley too see what accessories are always on and pull the fuses for them. Once you have done that, recheck. If still a drain start looking for it.
2/ Check to see if the alternator is draining the battery. Forgot what color is the wire from alt. too battery but
connect one side of multimeter to that wire and another to
(-). If you see a drain the alt. is shot.
3/ Connect the probes from a multimeter securely. Turn on Multimeter. Start car. No lights, no load on battery at all.
check the rerading..12.6 to 14?
Now put a load on the battery ...as many accessories as possible. Lights, radio, heater, cooling fan for motor, the whole shebang...check reading. Make sure the car is idling to spec rpm's. If the meter does not show 12 too 12.5 or a little above...the alternator is shot. Replace it.