Alternator or short? battery dying after a day

[Indolent]

Just got another S14 (auto) so I don't know everything that's been done to it, I know it has an S13 motor/trans set up installed on it and I believe the lower harness is wired up to it so I'm thinking the possibility of a short may be around there

Anyway
-Battery's dying after one day, replaced with one from my other car, recharged the current one, same thing
-If I let the car sit too long (over several hours) I'll have to jump start it, so I unplug one of the posts from the battery everytime when I won't use the car right away

Is it possible it's the alternator? or just a short somewhere? currently my car's at the shop so I can't really go out and get the alternator tested or anything, but this is all I know for now, your input/help's appreciated

[s13drob]

yes alternator. the car will run on the battery for a little bit and if the alternators bad it wont charge the battery. so when the battery is dead the car wont start. WHEN U CAN, take out ur alternator and have autozone test it a couple times. im positive its your alternator

[Unholy S14]

had the same problem with my old 240. It was indeed the alt.

if you have a ka, i may have one laying around. If I find it you can just have it.

[undesiredshoe]

Do you have a digital multimeter?? If you do, check the resistance from a metal place somewhere on the chassis or engine and the negative terminal. Almost all the starting problems ive had on my car were ground related, ie. oily and corroded starter mounting surface....

[jorge1190]

check the alternator fuse too...i blew mine out and it drove me insane for days

[TTrx7Pete]

Are you getting a charge indicator light on your dash? The one that looks like a battery?

[eek]

Use a meter to check voltage. If the car is on and voltage reading is below 12v your alternator is not working. You could also start car, unplug neg terminal on battery, if car stays on, alternator is working, if it shuts off, its bad.

[flip3d]

the thing i dont like about the rebuilt alternators at autozone is they only replace the voltage regulator if its bad.

99% of the time, this is why your battery isnt charging. i went through a couple autozone alts before ripping one apart and rebuilding it myself.

[Indolent]

You could also start car, unplug neg terminal on battery, if car stays on, alternator is working, if it shuts off, its bad.

I actually started the car, and unplugged the ground/negative on the battery and it stayed on/idled fine

hopefully I'll be getting my car back soon so I can check it out more