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1998 Mercury Sable Battery Drains very quickly when car is

Tiny
TAROBBINS
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 MERCURY SABLE
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 137,000 MILES
My battery drains very quickly (within 10 to 15 minutes of normal driving ) when the engine is running. The Battery is new and has been checked along with the Alternator. Both check out fine according to the mechanic. From time to time however ( at roughly one or 2 week intervals) the battery drains very quickly when the car is being driven. ECM codes have be scanned and found clear. Any suggestions as I have been unable to duplicate the condition for the mechanic to be able to trace the problem?
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Saturday, March 7th, 2009 AT 12:13 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
The alternator supplies the vehicle needs, running down the road, unless the load is greater than the alternator can handle, then it will take some out of the battery. There should be an indicator lite or something on the dash to let you know of a discharge situation, that is when to do the testing. Get you a cheap dmm and carry it with you. When you see the discharge situation, pull over, check the reading at the battery posts. With the engine running I like to see the reading in the high 13s.
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Saturday, March 7th, 2009 AT 12:26 PM

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