electrical problems nissan sentra

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goastros - 14 Jun 2006 20:21 GMT

We replace the alternator but the battery still dies . we recharge the
battery and drive around all day then have to recharge again When we
turn on signals or windsheild wipers it will kill the battery. Whats
the problem or where would the short, electrical problem be?

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Scott Dorsey - 14 Jun 2006 20:25 GMT

>We replace the alternator but the battery still dies . we recharge the
>battery and drive around all day then have to recharge again When we
>turn on signals or windsheild wipers it will kill the battery. Whats
>the problem or where would the short, electrical problem be?

What is the battery voltage with the car running, and with the car
off?

What is the current measured at the positive pole of the battery with
the car running and with the car off?
--scott

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"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

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Mike Romain - 14 Jun 2006 21:50 GMT

Make, model, year?

That can be a bunch of things. I would look at the ground between the
engine and body and frame first for a broken or corroded connection.

If you had a multimeter it would help to diagnose easier.

Lots of places will test your battery for free to see if it just has a
dead cell.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
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> We replace the alternator but the battery still dies . we recharge the
> battery and drive around all day then have to recharge again When we
> turn on signals or windsheild wipers it will kill the battery. Whats
> the problem or where would the short, electrical problem be?

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HLS@nospam.nix - 14 Jun 2006 22:00 GMT

> We replace the alternator but the battery still dies . we recharge the
> battery and drive around all day then have to recharge again When we
> turn on signals or windsheild wipers it will kill the battery. Whats
> the problem or where would the short, electrical problem be?

You need to check the following things first:
(1) battery condition...if over 3-4 years old, it may be no good. Battery
tests are not always conclusive
mainly because they are sometimes
done by idiots.

(2) parasitic drain........if something - a trunk light, a short circuit,
etc - is constantly pulling down on the
battery, it will run down despite the
alternator. This is easy to check if you have a test
meter which can measure on a high
amperes scale.. Put the meter on 5-10 amps, and insert
it between the battery terminal and
the battery cable you took off that terminal...It should be
low...in the order of 100 ma,
somewhat less or slightly more...

(3) If you used an aftermarket alternator, as from Autozone, have it
checked ...it may be no good, right off
the shelf.

(4) Battery terminals, battery cables, battery grounds...if your terminals
are dirty,you need to clean them.. sometimes internal corrosion inside
battery cables renders them useless...and grounds from battery to chassis,
etc, are extremely important.

A dragging starter, meaning a starter that is not turning up as it should,
even though the battery charge is okay,
will mimic the appearance of a discharged electrical system.. If all else
fails, check the starter motor and solenoid.

This will get you started, anyway.

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