Bad alternator or Bad Battery?

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Old Feb 14, 2010 | 09:09 AM
  #1  
fire919's Avatar
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Bad alternator or Bad Battery?

Problem, My Battery keeps dying on me overnight!.....i'm not sure if it is the alternator because with the car started i turned on my headlights and interior dome lights then took off the positive lead from the battery and the car stayed running. (if the car could talk...when i did this, i would say it sounded like a sigh of relief.) after the car didn't turn off i replace the positive lead....
Now i say i'm not sure its the battery because i used a battery from another car that is fairly new and exchanged it with my own, and it did the same thing, died overnight. Also, the battery that originally was in my car, was place in the other vehicle and it didn't died overnight, didn't died at all.....can someone please assist.
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Old Feb 14, 2010 | 09:39 AM
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TLin401's Avatar
'13 Hyundai Sonata
 
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From: RI (401)
If your battery keeps dying and it isn't dying in the other car then it is the alternator.

Is the alternator hot or kinda warm when you try to start the car? If so that is your issue.
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Old Feb 14, 2010 | 01:16 PM
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Mandy's Avatar
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From: Marietta
Check for charging voltage, should be 14.0 volts+. If it is less, it is the Alternator. If the charging is good, gotta be the battery.
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Old Feb 14, 2010 | 05:30 PM
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From: Tempe AZ
I hope you don't have a slow battery drain somewhere when the ignition's off?
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Old Feb 14, 2010 | 05:39 PM
  #5  
fire919's Avatar
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If its my alternator...how does car stay on after i've disconnected positive post from battery
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Old Feb 14, 2010 | 06:42 PM
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Go90go's Avatar
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From: Double Standard Land
Check your amplifiers to make sure they're turning off when the ignition is turned off. I had this issue one when the remote wire came off and was touching a +12v constant.

~Cheers~
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Old Feb 14, 2010 | 07:09 PM
  #7  
fire919's Avatar
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nah its turning off....i will try and change my batt terminals 2morrow bcuz they're pretty crappy and maybe causing a short
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Old Feb 14, 2010 | 07:44 PM
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I think you have a tough problem to diagnose. I emailed my EE friend to see what his opinion is. Can you disconnect the battery to alternator connection? That would at least rule out a short there if it doesn't drain overnight.
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Old Mar 3, 2010 | 05:37 PM
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You said you found the leaky circuit? Which is it? I'm up to my ears changing the starter in my Acura. It may be more than I can handle, but it's in pieces now and will get done.
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