On Sunday I replaced my alternator with a Duralast 105 amp. (guy at AutoZone said it needed, stupid me). I took the battery home and tried charging it. The next morning after charging it is still completly dead. I went to Sears and bought a Diehard Gold battery. This morning the car drove completly fine. But tonight it died when I was shopping. After towing it home, I started charging again. An hour later there is enough juice to start the car, run the lights and everything that uses power. But the guage on my dash says it is still losing power. When the car was started it was near 11, by the time I moved the car in my driveway it was down to around 9.
My dads recomends tomorrow I take my car and excahange the alternator for a new one. What could be the cause of this and what should I do? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

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Mike Kenny
Current: 1991 RS 305 TBI
Past: 1990 RS 305 TBI (A woman forgot what red lights are for)
Current: mostly stock - newer 305 w/ 12,000 on it
Eclipse speakers all around w/ 10" tube powered by a Alpine V12 in back
K&N filter w/XStream flow lid - It is sweet!!
Future: 2" Cowl hood

 

I would definitely suspect a bad alternator for a charging problem like that, especially if you just put a DieHard Gold in it. I've never had anything but good service out of those batteries. Take it back to Autozone and make them give you another one. Good luck!

 

Before you replace the alternator, did you make sure the belt was really tight? I dont mean hand-tight, I mean crow-bar tight.

See this post:
https://www.thirdgen.org/messgboard/...ML/000863.html

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86 IROC TPI
700-R4
K&N Air filters

 

'88 & later setups use a self tensioning single serpentine system - no belt adjustment required.

Tim

 

Check to see if there's a load on the battery while it's shut off (defroster or cigarette lighter are two biggies that'll kill it quick)