Hey guys I am experiencing my battery draining overnight. I also find my self turning the key several times before my car will attempt to start. I have no idea why it does this, and eventually after I drive a little the voltage goes back to the high 14's. This morning I went to drive my car and it was at 12 volts and the idiot lights came on. Is my alternator dead? Thanks.

 

Could be bad diodes in the Alternator, also get a Digi multi-meter and put it "in series" w/ the negative cable and negative battery post, put it on amps. with the key out & nothing on, you should have a draw of 30-60ma, if it's higher than that, you prolly have a draw. start pulling fuses until the draw dissapears for you. the draw will be on that fuses circuit. i just got done doing this myself. search for better insrtuctions if you need them, lots of people have posted on thi subject...including me. have fun

 

Get the alt tested.

As for the second post....

 

Thanks guys, I'm about to go get the alternator tested, and if it tests good as it did when I tested it a couple of weeks ago, I'll do what hondaeat-r suggested. Thanks again.

 

One problem though, even if the alternator tests good, that doesn't tell you that the diodes in there aren't bad. Bad diodes allow a back flow of electricity (cause draw when car isn't running), while still allowing the alt to maybe charge at full capacity. Another thing is, if you go to Advance Auto or some chain parts store, alot of those guys don't know ****. I had an alt tested @ Advance Auto and it was jumping from 15-17 volts and he says "Yep, looks like it's charging real strong". I laughed then proceded to tell him that 15volts or more will blow fuses, bulbs and in general cause electrical havoc on the car. He kept insisting that it was charging perfectly. Moral of the story, go to a specialty Starter/Alt/Auto Electric Re-build shop & have them test it. Or read the FSM engine electrical section for troubleshooting