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Battery Losing Charge Overnight After Changing the Alternator, '02 Civic
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minorityhands
New User
May 29, 2012, 10:45 AM
Post #1 of 5
(3475 views)
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Battery Losing Charge Overnight After Changing the Alternator, '02 Civic
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-2002
-Honda Civic LX
-1.7 L
-~90,000 Miles
After my alternator completely died out after weeks of the light coming on and off, my brother-in-law, father and I changed out the alternator to my Civic. Everything appeared to be working-- the battery charged, car stayed on with the battery unplugged, etc.
However the next morning the battery was completely dead. Fearing the alternator took the battery with it, I got the battery and alternator tested at a local Advanced Auto. Both tested out however. After a full charge on the battery at their location, the battery once again died overnight.
We're fairly certain the issue lies with a short in the car, particularly because of the smell of burning we get once we let the engine run. It definitely appears to be coming from the alternator and not the battery. We checked the fuses as well, none are out. Any thoughts car junkies? I'd hate to have to pay hundreds for something that could be an easy fix.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 29, 2012, 11:14 AM
Post #2 of 5
(3453 views)
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Re: Battery Losing Charge Overnight After Changing the Alternator, '02 Civic
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Did you just say that the car stayed running with battery disconnected? YOU CAN'T GET AWAY WITH THAT UNLESS IT'S A 1950 CHEVY OR SOMETHING. THAT JUST COMPLICATED THE WHOLE SHOW AND NOW WHO KNOWS WHAT GOT FRIED!
T
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minorityhands
New User
May 29, 2012, 11:50 AM
Post #3 of 5
(3441 views)
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Re: Battery Losing Charge Overnight After Changing the Alternator, '02 Civic
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sorry, just the wire from the negative end of the battery, not the whole thing!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 29, 2012, 12:25 PM
Post #4 of 5
(3431 views)
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Re: Battery Losing Charge Overnight After Changing the Alternator, '02 Civic
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Doesn't matter - you can disconnect a battery with engine running on vehicles with GENERATORS not alternators which have been used for decades on end. This vehicle has insane and expensive electronic controls that could easily be damaged/ruined by that trick that ended with alternators.
Other: If it survived that a battery hates going dead and can self destruct from just that and multiple times it's almost a definite. If over 3-4 years old the dependability drops off like a rock but some hang on much longer. All car batteries either say in plain something or encrypted the month and day they were made.
Note: Battery itself can consume its charge as flakes build up on bottom unseen begin to touch the plates.
You need at least a voltmeter - cheap ones OK just less dependable. That or take battery out and get it checked out and keep it charged.
If/when a battery is low, too low the alternator works like nuts and gets hot and can ruin it new or not.
If there's a drain going on we can approach that and how to chase down that. If thought to be just see if any glove box, hood or trunk light doesn't shut off as best you can or unplug them or take bulbs out.
Here a lot but not constantly so anyone can jump in with suggestions if too much time goes by,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
May 29, 2012, 2:54 PM
Post #5 of 5
(3415 views)
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Re: Battery Losing Charge Overnight After Changing the Alternator, '02 Civic
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It is possible for the alternator to be bad and still test good if it has a bad diode. Try disconnecting that main power wire from the alternartor overnight and see if the battery is still dead in the morning. that will tell you if it's the alternator or not.
If it turns out not to be the alternator...
There is a procedure for finding a battery draw like that.
You will need a digital ammeter and a jumper wire with clips on the ends to do this.
First rig any door switches so you can have a door open without triggering the interior lights and unplug the hood light. Remove one battery cable and attach the meter in series between the battery cable and battery post. Take the jumper wire and also attach it the same way. Leave the jumper wire on for at least 10 minutes to expire all the automatic timers. Now remove the jumper wire and read the meter. Anything over 50ma is too much draw. The way you locate this is to start removing fuses one at a time until the meter drops to normal level. This will be the circuit with something staying on. Determine what components are part of that circuit and check them individually until the problem is isolated.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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