trying to figure out i just put a new alt in my cavy and my battery wont take a charge, i recently bought this car completely stripped.....i looked over all the connections and they seem fine...car runs and drives fine.....i think its the wiring from the alt to the battery that is bad but i don't know what it leads to could anyone help me?
First with what info u provided u should use a multimeter to check the voltage at ur alternator and then the battery.U can check it with the car on or off but ,while running is a good idea just to verify the alternator is solid and putting out at least 13.5 volts or better Second if the battery is showing the same voltage as the alter while running but , if loses a charge when u disconnect both neg/pos cables and the car not running u battery is history.Could be the battery has a bad plate inside and will no longer hold enuff volts to maintain the car to run let alone run the basic things like radio,interior light with out being really dim.U can always go to auto zone or advance and get a FREE check for this and it will pin point the issue if u do not have a multimeter to do the same thing.
1. With the engine stopped but ignition ON do you have a Charge Light illuminated on the dash?-if NOT check 10amp Gauges Fuse-You probably have working gauges so this is probably YES
2. If you have a voltmeter/multimeter do you read 12 (approx) volts from Battery +ve terminal to ground/chassis-You say the car runs and drives fine so I would expect this to be a YES
3. If 2, is yes, do you read the same voltage at the large Batt +ve terminal on the alternator? If NO it may be either a bad connection to the Alternator or a blown Fusible link-this is the most likely
4. If 3 is NO, start the car and carefully check the voltage between the large Alternator BAtt terminal and ground/chassis-it should be more than 12.5 volts.. If it is it confirms that the alternator is working and the connection from the Alternator to the Battery is bad or has a blown fusible link.
Post back with what you find and someone is sure to help
Alont
