Battery is draining

Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 2000 MERCURY VILLAGER
  • 3.3L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 215,000 MILES
My battery is draining. If it drains too far it will not start so I put my jumper box on and I get it started. As soon as I disconnect the box the alt light and clock and interior dome light flicker. Increasing engine speed does not solve issue if I start turning stuff on the flickering gets worse. If I check charging at battery by meter on jumper it reads 0. If I test with digital meter shows 11 volts. If I charge battery with auto charger it shows charged I start vehicle and all is well and it is charging 14.8 no load 14.4 with stuff turned on. Forget about it for a few days and then I go some where park for a few hours and it will not start! Rinse repeat.
Thursday, November 9th, 2017 AT 12:52 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
I would check the alternator output and load test the battery.

Here are two guides that will help you get the problem fixed:

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

and

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

If the battery is and here is a guide on how to change it out.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-car-battery

Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Cheers, Ken

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Thursday, November 9th, 2017 AT 1:15 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Well the last episode the alternator light flickering did not go away. I replaced battery since it was 5yrs old. Checked output of alt when running it was 0. Am replacing that now. Tried to dissect bad alternator for cause but these jap alternators dont come apart easy! Still aint figured it out!
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Monday, November 13th, 2017 AT 8:58 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
It sounds like you have a wiring or connection problem. Here is a guide so you can do some testing to find the problem.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Monday, November 13th, 2017 AT 11:10 AM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Ok got old alternator apart had to drill a hole on rear bearing cap
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Monday, November 13th, 2017 AT 4:02 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
So changed alternator and battery although the old battery still holds charge will know in a few days if all is well. I did find that 1 of the brushes on old alternator was quite a bit shorter than the other and my experience tells me that was the cause of no charge and lights flicker, I tested battery draw not running with test light and got a weak light which in my experience means low draw which is normal.
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Monday, November 13th, 2017 AT 11:50 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Since changing both items have not had any problems since! I suspect the battery was weak and the alternator intermittently no charge /weak charge.
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Wednesday, December 20th, 2017 AT 8:40 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Good to hear, please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, December 20th, 2017 AT 1:48 PM

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