Battery draining fast

GEMINI777

MEMBER
1994 FORD MUSTANG
3.8L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
315,000 MILES

A couple of days ago I went to town, when I tried to start car it would not. It did jump off and was able to get it home. It will run for a minute or two then the battery gauge slowly drops and then it shuts off. I assumed the alternator was bad, I have just put a brand new one on there, and it is still doing it. Battery has a good charge. What else could it be?

Tuesday, January 10th, 2017 AT 9:57 AM

3 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
34,330 POSTS

Measure the battery voltage while the engine is running and tell me what you find.

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Tuesday, January 10th, 2017 AT 3:02 PM

JOHNNY G.JR

MECHANIC
320 POSTS

If battery is so/so alternator will not charge. Slowly charge the battery overnight. Take it to a local garage or parts store and have it load tested. From there proceed with alternator testing, a reading from 13-14.7 would be good depending upon the load placed on it, radio, lights, fan, defroster, etc.

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Tuesday, January 10th, 2017 AT 3:42 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,137 POSTS

Hey GEMINI777,

Here are a couple easy tests that will show you what the problem is.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Please run some tests and get back to us so we can continue helping you.

Best, Ken

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Saturday, January 14th, 2017 AT 11:51 PM