Hi,

Been having problems with an 89 1.6 Fiat Tipo. Basically got a phone call of
the Mrs. last week saying that it wouldn't start, RAC towed her back home
and said the alternator was faulty as battery had died. Charged the battery,
fired it up on the driveway, 14.4 volts coming out of the alternator.
Thought "oh well, one of those things". Left it overnight, next morning
totally dead, 70mv coming out of the battery.

OK, must be a knackered battery, even though it's only 18 months old. Took
it back to the store, they tested it said there is nothing wrong with it.
Charged battery, start car, only 13 volts coming out of the alternator.

Next step - check all lights etc are off when ignition off, turn off
courtesy/glovebox./boot lights. Same problem. Pull fuse for
radio/immobiliser. Same problem.

Notice battery light on faintly and assume one of the diodes in the
alternator has gone, think that may cause battery drain when not charging so
replace the alternator and fanbelt - battery light now extinguished, but
still only 13v coming out of the alternator.

So, on to today - took battery off the car and charged till full. Reports
12.91v off load, as soon as I connect the battery to the car it drops to
12.05v. Disconnect again and it rises to around 12.75v.

Any ideas?  I'm running out of theories here! Checked all earths, they're
ok, so signs of smoke or anything getting warm....

Hellraiser...........>