Battery keeps dying
05-28-2003, 03:55 PM
#1
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Car: 1988 Firebird
Engine: GM Performance Parts 350 HO
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: :(
Battery keeps dying
My battery keps losing power, I'll charge it up and it lasts for only 3 or 4 drives. These are really short drives, so maybe the alternator didn't get fully charged..? I have dual fans, a 4th gen mini starter, and the stock L03 alternator. This is at least the 5th time this has happened. Also ithe engine usually starts on the 2nd try. The power doesn't drop to 0, just keeps dropping until the engine won't start. What could possibly be causing this? Any help or ideas for me to check out would be greatly appreciated.
05-29-2003, 11:19 AM
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Car: '87 IROC
Engine: L98
Transmission: TH700R4
Have the alernator checked out or pull the positive cable while the engine is running and see if it stalls. If it does it is most likely your alternator (make sure batt. is fully charged before attempting).
Also, if you have a multimeter, check the mA (amps) draw on the battery with the engine off, you may have a draw on the battery while it is sitting that is draining your batt.
tj
Also, if you have a multimeter, check the mA (amps) draw on the battery with the engine off, you may have a draw on the battery while it is sitting that is draining your batt.
tj
06-01-2003, 06:11 AM
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Yeah thats right pull the positive cable of the alternator and you will really stuff up the alternator. Doing that is a no no. Just measure the voltage at the battery terminals (make sure they are clean and tight), should be around 14 volts. Quick check of the battery you can do is with engine off measure the battery voltage with lights on and other acc. you may have. The voltage should still stay around 11-12 volts, if it drops off quickly below 11 volts batt. is stuffed. Also leakage test is good incase of any problems with internal wiring. Another way to test batt is to charge it and remove from car and let sit on bench not connected for a day or 2. When reconnected to car if it cant start then you know for sure the batt isnt holding charge and your car wiring is OK.
06-01-2003, 07:13 AM
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Car: 1987 Black IROC-Z (SOLD)
Replace the Alterntor with a new Delco 105 amp one. If the battery will not hold a charge and it keeps losing power its the Alternator. They do go bad, and if its the stock 85 amp one more chances thats the cause so check it out.
Last edited by DJP87Z28; 06-01-2003 at 07:16 AM.
06-01-2003, 10:36 AM
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Car: 1988 Firebird
Engine: GM Performance Parts 350 HO
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: :(
Well, I took it to a shop and they tested it and found that the battery was bad, the alternator was good, the battery cables were too small, timing is advanced a little too far, and a ground cable to the block was loose. 
I got a better battery and grounded the cable and the problem is all but solved. Thanks again for the help.
I got a better battery and grounded the cable and the problem is all but solved. Thanks again for the help. 
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