I unplugged all my wires from the alt. Then i Disconnected the battery.

Now when i Put the test light on the back of the alt where it goes to battery. I get a light with everything disconnect.

Just test light to negative battery terminal and it lights up....

does this mean my alt is trying to drain something?

 

I think it's just completing the circuit more than anything. Can you get the alt. off and go get it tested? What made you want to test it to begin with?

 

I have a drain on my battery and narrowed it down to the alt or the starter.

But if there is no power in the alt why would the test light go on?

 

I would just take it to the local autoparts store and have it checked. Chances are its the problem and you'll be smacking yourself over it being something so simple. Its always the simple little things you overlook that cause the major problems. If its a 50% chance of the starter and 50% on the alt. figure the alt for draining the battery! Hope it all works out and you finally get it all figured out. Keep us in the loop as to how it goes.

 

If you have a multimeter, set it to DC volts, turn on your car and test your battery. If the voltage is constant, the alt. is ok. If the voltage is dropping, the alt. is not ok. If you don't have a meter, you can probably pick one up for around $30. They're handy to have anyway.

Good luck
C.J.

 

And be sure to CHECK THE COOLING FAN FUSE. I found out today that it powers the alternator as well as the cooling fan circuit. I went nuts for 5 stinking hours today trying to figure out why my alt. was only putting out 11 volts. Popped in a new fuse, problem solved.