Alternator light on, not charging new battery replace battery?

Tiny
BILL HASTINGS
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHRYSLER CONCORDE
  • 1.7L
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 155,000 MILES
Replaced battery and the car immediately started after parked following a deer/car collision on drivers side last fall. First, I cut off top cable and attempted to install side mount battery, It did not fit so I installed correct ( new) battery with new cable end. I did not reinstall auxiliary line attached to original positive cable. Is this the line from alternator to recharge the battery? The hew battery quickly died after a couple short trips, The drivers door is not latching after impact with deer!
Thursday, September 25th, 2025 AT 11:20 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 34,330 POSTS
They do show the alternator's output cable as a separate red, 6 gauge, bolt-on cable. The easiest way to tell is to measure the voltage on the large bolted-on cable on the back of the alternator. That will have full battery voltage all the time. If you find 0.0 volts there, check it again with that cable attached.
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Thursday, September 25th, 2025 AT 4:33 PM

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