Battery will not keep charge new alternator

eamanda · Post by **eamanda** » 26 Mar 2006, 14:16

What else to do ? 1988 volvo 240 DL

Kmaniac in California USA · Post by **Kmaniac in California USA** » 26 Mar 2006, 23:47

Based on your post, I know the following information:

You have a 1988 240 DL.
The battery will not keep a charge.
You have a new alternator.

First, lets look at your battery. How old is it? Most batteries have the date of manufacture both printed on a sticker on one end of the case and melted in either the top or top side edge of the case. The date code is in letter/number format. The letter stands for the month (A=Jan.;B=Feb.;...;L=Dec.). The letter stand for the year (0=2000, 1=2001,...,6=2006 (or 1996 if it is real old)). For example, if your battery has a sticker that reads "F-3", the battery was manufactured in June 2003 (Note, any battery manufactured in June 1993 would be dead by now.) If your battery is 3 to 6 years old, most likely it is ready for replacement. Most auto parts stores and Sears Battery Express will test your battery for free and tell you if it is good or not.

Now lets look at the alternator. You said it is new, so it must have been replaced for some reason. Was it because it squealed and made a terrible racket when it was spinning? Was it because your battery light on the dash stayed lit all the time? Was it because you had it tested and found it did not charge properly? Or was it because your battery didn't hold a charge? Alternators, like batteries, can be tested by most auto parts stores and Sears Battery Express to determine how good they are. Hopefully you did this before you replaced your old alternator or you may have tossed a perfectly good alternator. And what about this new alternator? You should have this tested, as well, to make sure you didn't get sold a defective unit.

Well, there is my two cents for what it's worth. Have your battery and alternator checked and let us know what you find.

wojeepster · Post by **wojeepster** » 27 Mar 2006, 18:10

when the car is running check the voltage across the battery posts with a voltage meter should be 13.2-14.2volts dc. If that is ok then shut car off and put meter amps and measure the dark current to see if you have some drain that is draning the battery while it sits. You have to take one cable off and put the meter in series to do this. High amps setting first. Car alarms are famous for this even if they aren't armed. You can pull the fuzes one at a time until you find which circuit is draining the battery. I always suspect the electrical things that have been added over time, first. I have found where someone added a radio and just twisted the wires together, etc. good luck.

victorg · Post by **victorg** » 28 Jan 2007, 14:06

What did you find out? Have a similar problem. Alternator checks fine outside car, battery is new. Wires appear to be tight. car runs off the battery-no charging.