DD.

Issue: Alternator not charging at full capacity.

Before you say its the alternator, i've Replaced it with a new one. This is the cars 4th alt. The original stopped working. Replaced with a used one. The used one didn't work. Then replaced that used one with a new one. The new one didn't worked. Replaced the new one with another new one. Same deal.

When i manually charge my battery, it drives for about a day or two, and then the battery dies again. If i drive at night, the battery will die that night. (Because of Head Lights)

The alternator is putting out a hair over 12 volts. And when the lights are on, it puts out a hair under 12 volts.

So, if its not the alternator, what could it be?

I've been dealing with this for weeks. Please help!

Thanks in advance!

mtber

What engine management is the car running ?

omgwtfbbq!

I'm assuming you've diagnosed the battery itself to make sure it holds a charge?

DD.

Yes. So i don't really think the battery is a candidate.

omgwtfbbq!

I had a similar problem when the ground for my amp got disconnected, though it didn't drain as quickly, and it would only drain with the key off. You may have a large/important ground disconnected, but thats a long shot. You can always take your alt. to Autozone and have them run a diagnostic on it to make sure it meets factory specs.

DD.

Sounds good, I'll check my ground.
As for Autozone, i think i'll head up there too. They tested my last one and said it was no good. I guess i was just trying to keep from installing another alternator.

omgwtfbbq!

I know the feeling, my old Isuzu Rodeo went through 5 of them.

DD.

Just to give more info:

Tonight, i charged the battery up. I drove for about an hour total with the headlights on. Radio off. By the time i got back home the battery was dead again.

Also tonight, at idle, the car would not stay on. At every light i would have to keep it idled up so it would not shut off.

silvspeed

got any cel's? make sure the eld is working. also check the wiring to the alternator, make sure there are no bad connections. if you suspect a faulty connection on a wire do a voltage drop test on it, on the high current wire to the battery no more than .5V is acceptable. i forgot to mention, before you go pokin around get a wiring diagram of the system you're working on ALWAYS. if you understand how the system works you'll know what to look for with your dvm...... lmk what you find

mtber