96 Ford Escort .. died while driving

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hedoskn - 21 Mar 2006 12:11 GMT

Coming home from work, the radio died, then the tachometer, then the car.
I figured the alt crapped out then drain the battery ( 1 year old )

Got it off the interstate and replaced the alt, charged the bat, went
for a test drive and it died again. Something is draining my bat and not
allowing the alt to work.
Any suggestions ???????

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Backyard Mechanic - 21 Mar 2006 12:46 GMT

> Coming home from work, the radio died, then the tachometer, then the car.
> I figured the alt crapped out then drain the battery ( 1 year old )
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> allowing the alt to work.
> Any suggestions ???????

get or borrow a digital voltmeter

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Sharon K.Cooke - 21 Mar 2006 12:51 GMT

Invest in a plug-in voltmeter for about $15; the alternator may not be charging
at all, or the battery's finished. Could also be drive belt, battery connectors,
grounds, etc.

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scott21230@gmail.com - 22 Mar 2006 20:21 GMT

The fact that you indiscriminatey replaced a bunch of auto parts
without doing any testing indicates to me that you are most likely an
auto mechanic. You should not bee fooling with automotive electrical
stuff, you will only make it worse. If you have a friend that owns a
voltmeter, ask them to drop by.

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hedoskn - 30 Mar 2006 00:27 GMT

Thanks to all that wrote back .....
I've since discovered that when I initially charged the battery I only
had 11.71 volts. This alternator will not start charging if less than 12
volts exists .... must be a no burn out feature.

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I. Care - 30 Mar 2006 02:04 GMT

> Thanks to all that wrote back .....
> I've since discovered that when I initially charged the battery I only
> had 11.71 volts. This alternator will not start charging if less than 12
> volts exists .... must be a no burn out feature.

That doesn't make sense to me. Your alternator should be able to charge
a nearly dead battery after the car is started and running. Maybe the
battery has a shorted cell or is otherwise bad.

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sleepdog@optonline.net - 30 Mar 2006 04:22 GMT

>> Thanks to all that wrote back .....
>> I've since discovered that when I initially charged the battery I only
>> had 11.71 volts. This alternator will not start charging if less than 12
>> volts exists .... must be a no burn out feature.

Did you check your ground wires and all connections from the battery to
the alternator?

Could be a connection on the starter relay, fusible link, wire
harness... worth checking all.

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