Drained battery will not charge when running

Tiny
JOHNSOLOMONIAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 GEO METRO
  • 1.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 1,680,000 MILES
My battery was drained and when it started by jumpstart I drove it about 12 miles battery never charged was still drained. I took positive cable off battery when engine was running engine stayed on. Turned headlights on they were weak and drove it after I put pins cable back on battery. Lights stayed dim and battery didn't charge at all. Have a radiator leak when hot with belts on but alternator belt feel a bit loose spouts coolant out from steam and steams engine. Have radiator ordered just replaced water pump no more leaking from that. New belts but alt belt feels a little loose. Couldn't get the screws off the thermostat housing to replace with new one. What's making battery not charge?
Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 5:21 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

First, it is never a good idea to take a battery cable off while the engine is running. It tests nothing and can damage the modules from a voltage surge.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-charge-your-car-battery

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

You need a voltmeter to test the voltage at the battery. You need 12.4 to 12.6 volts for the system to work.

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

You may have a bad alternator as it is not maintaining the battery.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-alternator

Roy
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 AT 6:12 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links