Hey guys, I have a'98 CL 3.0 and replaced the alternator and battery because the old battery wasn't charging. It sort of solved the problem for a month or so. Now I'm in the same place. I parked the car for two weeks, started it up one day, disconnected the battery and the car kept running (plus no battery light on dash). Everyday after I have had the battery light, disconnected the battery and the engine dies!!!. I know the leads on the battery are fine, but I don't know about the alternator.

Can I do a connectivity test of the cables to the engine/battery from the alternator without doing a load test? I am guessing the wires btw the alt and the engine are showing signs of a problem and not btw the alt and the battery.

Thanks.

 

Disconnecting the battery w/ engine running is not good. I have heard this can damage the alternator. It proves nothing but that a flashed alternator field is self-sustaining.

You don't state the exact nature of your problem. Presumably a dead battery after 2 weeks of being parked. If that is the case, I would suspect an unknown load on the battery; light that doesn't turn off or other load. Check trunk light w/ trunk closed.

Make sure your battery posts are clean and well connected. Have a load test run on your new battery. Sometimes you get a bad battery out of the box.

Have your alternator checked. It should be providing 14.5-15v after starting the car cold. Walmart has a handy battery-alternator test light for $15 that plugs into dash lighter socket and provide all this information and a constant "state of health" of your charing system.

good luck