ok so my car died yesterday and i was able to push start it. i then noticed that it wasnt charging. so i thought the alternator was shot. well after changing the alternator, nothing has changed. car will start with jump from other car. changed out the battery, but the alternator/battery were only at 11.96/11.99. the car will run for a bit, then HIDs will cut off, then the radio will die, followed by the car. i dont know whats wrong. car isnt under warranty, and i dont have the money to take it to a shop. anyone have any ideas?

 

check all your grounds and wiring.

 

have you done any new electrical mods lately?

 

i put in some strobes, but i wired them to a power and ground that i have been usuing for over a year. the ground cable had corrosion on it, but i cleaned it off. i am mechanically inclined but i am lost in this one.

 

what strobes did you get? i would start by taking all accessories off the electrical system starting with the newest first and see if the voltage goes back up. are you talking about the battery ground or a different grounding point?

 

what do you have wired directly to the battery? if anything, disconnect that then see what happens.

 

directly to the battery is a DIY grounding kit, and the lead to my amp.

my underbodies/lights are not wired to the battery.

 

If battery voltage while running is at 11.99V, then the vehicle isn't properly charging. I'd check the wiring for the alternator and get the replaced alternator tested. Just because you replaced something doesn't mean the part you replaced it with worked.

Also, perform a parasitic drain test.

 

^x2
not too sure if you know how to do the test but here you go

1. Remove the negative side battery cable from the negative battery terminal.
2. Attach an ammeter(this measures amperage) between the negative cable and the negative battery post. Wait a few seconds to several minutes for the car to go into sleep mode - i.e. when you make the contact with the ammeter, the cars computer systems "wake up". After a bit of time they will go back to "sleep".
3. If the ammeter is reading over 25-50 milliamps, something is using too much battery power.
4. Go to the fuse panel(s) and remove fuses, one at a time. Pull the main fuses (higher amp ratings)last. Be sure to observe the ammeter after pulling each fuse.
5. Watch for the ammeter to drop to acceptable drain. The fuse that reduces the drain is the draw. Consult the owners' manual or service manual to find what circuits are on that fuse.
6. Check each device (circuit) on that fuse. Stop each lamp, heater, etc. to find the drain.
7. Repeat steps 1&2 to test your repair. The ammeter will tell you exact numbers.

 

adam you think you could help me with that man? maybe after work or something. i need to get it running but cant afford to take it to a mechanic. i have a DVOM but dont have an anmeter

 

i have one but it was messing up on the voltage, dont know if the ammeter part of it is right or not. i am free this weekend, other than that im busy at work or with the wife.

 

I'm having the same charging issue did you ever find out what the problem was?

 

the fix:
the ignition wire burned up, ran another one from the ign fuse into the alt plug