replaced the alternator today...

[Movin]

Probably a really bad connection at the fusible's, It tests okay with the car off but the Alternator cannot get enough juice through when it is running to support anything turned on. The IG contact in the ignition switch could do that as well but the fusible links are more common.

The battery cannot go dead that quick. It either was not charged because of a bad charger or you should see massive sparking when you hook up the battery..a really huge drain.

Be careful when looking for the bad spot with the car running, the connection that is failing will likely be very hot.

The adjustments above need to be correct as told.

[FestYboy]

a test light will be your friend here....

[txranger14]

it was charged up with a quick charger, and you can tell it gives it enough juice. if i let it idle, it will run for a good 30-40 mins if i just leave it idling. i can turn the lights on, blinkers, they will work, and then i can kill it and it won't start back up. went back underneath it to make sure all connections to the alt are tight and fitting. its done so many things from running right then dying w the lights turned on, to idling great with all the lights working, to running perfect until kill then no start. its done quite a few different things today. battery tests fine, alt was tested fine. just something not allowing the alt to get the juice to the battery to keep it going. the quick charge will give me some life but then the battery drains...

[txranger14]

also with the idling, earlier it was revving up and down randomly, then the second time i ran it after charging it, it ran smooth, doesn't sputter when u give it gas. it runs perfect for a few minutes when driving it. then its like the battery is completely dead. what fuses or fusibles should i check?

[FestYboy]

the battery load tests fine?

how many amps does the charger show at full power with the drained battery? (should be better than 40amps)

[txranger14]

its a lil 2/4/6 amp charger. im idiotic on this electrical stuff. i just charged it for about an hr, went out and let it idle, it lasted maybe 15 mins, then the lights started dimming, the blinkers/hazards wouldn't come on, brake lights were weak..a/c ran, no diff when it was on or off in idle. i just dont get it.

[muleskinner]

Check your ground wire to and from the alternator! If you checked it once check it again!! Make sure you hooked up the gound wire to the Alt correctly!

If that checks out ....

Do the same with the hot wire!

If that checks out .....

Check your belt! Is it slipping/too loose? Did you replace the belt when you got the Alt?

[txranger14]

the belts brand new. not loose at all. tight. idk how to test those wires to and from.

[txranger14]

idk how you could connect em wrong. theres 3 of em. one gets screwed down, the other two plug in.

[gergorian]

One of those wire I believe is a battery voltage indicator to tell the alternator what the vbat is. check to make sure those 2 connectors are clean and dont have any corrosion on them.

[Movin]

With it running hook a test light between the alternator housing and the battery neg, post. Or use a jumper cable and look for a spark when the connection is made. See if your headlights brighten up when you make the connection with a jumper cable. ( car running )

Hot side..yes literally. With the car running wiggle on or at least feel connections, a bad connection will be hot. Look and listen for sparks while doing this. Go to the fusibles and check them real good, there is all kinds of connection problems that can happen here, even with the fuse conversion. With car running, wiggle, feel for heat, watch and listen. Now do it all again at your ignition switch. Next check fuse box including the back side of it and some relays.

Its going to be something crazy simple like the ground strap is missing or just hanging there or the fusible was horrible down in where you can't see!

Enjoy the fun, not all of us have something so entertaining to play with !

[txranger14]

ok, now the car idles like crap. fusibles are find, checked the battery, off & running and with headlights on/off, it jumped down when headlights were turned on, but didn't jump back up. so the battery definitely idn't getting charged. it won't even idle some now. itll idle and die. idle and die. rev up like someone mashed the gas, then shut off. i want to blow it up.

[txranger14]

fusibles are fine*, and we are going to go through and test all the terminals one by one in a little bit.

[WmWatt]

Please state actual voltages: engine off, engine at idle, engine at idle with headlights on.

[rasmussen316]

Most alternators require a certain voltage to even produce voltage. The exact numbr escapes me but usually 12.2 volts will usually work. I would check the wire between the alternator and battery and the cbattery fuses. if you need a wiring diagram. message me.