2006 Kia Rio my alternator is discharging my battery please

Tiny
JUAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 KIA RIO
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 46,500 MILES
I would like to know how to test my alternator for a diode leak because my battery keeps discharging everytime I stop my car.I would say it last for like 4 or 5 hours then is out the reason why I want to test this diodes is because the alternator is charging good and I read an article that says if diode is bad when you turn off your car it leaks current backwards and keep the system with some load that can discharge your battery
Thursday, November 5th, 2009 AT 3:38 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

This is quite correct a faulty diode will cause this problem and the alternator will still charge but at a slightly reduced rate, the quick check is to place an Amp meter between bat pos and the cable note the current draw, then unplug the alternator and see if it drips, if so I would suspect a faulty diode, the main test is to dismantle the alt and do a continuity check on each diode, if current flows in doth directions the diode is faulty.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Thursday, November 5th, 2009 AT 3:45 PM
Tiny
JUAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Ok thanks for the help all I have is a multimeter I guess I have to take to a shop to get that checked
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Thursday, November 5th, 2009 AT 4:06 PM

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