I just installed a Greddy 2 Row intercooler on my 93 and I put my Miata's battery in since it is small enough to fit and the car started up and I ran it for awhile and made sure all the fluids were all good etc, but the charging light, oil, coolant, and 4wd system lights were all on, then after running for awhile the car ran out of power and shut off. I decided to order the PC680 battery hoping it mgiht be a better battery for the job and installed it and same thing happened again, I checked on my Power FC, and with the car running the volts just kept going down and down. I shut the car off with some power still in the battery, and I figured the alternator must be bad, since the belts were all just replaced and were nice and tight and the car isnt recharging. I go get a new alternator and install it, and the cars battery is dead so I jump start it, car starts up right away none of the check engine lights are on, remove the jumper cables and the car shuts off. I charge the battery and restart it again, and all the lights are on once again. I am really stumped now, I have double checked all of my connections and everything looks good. Does anyone have any other ideas for what it might possible be before I have to have the car towed/hauled to a mechanic?

 

Dude you have something loose on the alternator, mine was doing the same thing. It was the grey connector on the alternator. It was not competely click into place. Just triple check it.

 

Yoy may have bought a bad alt. pull it out and have it checked . All ways have a new one checked before installing , no matter where you buy it . That is your new rule . Was the connector snaped in and all cables tight .

 

sounds like its got to be alternator related, otherwise that is one HECK of a short...

 

I had that EXACT problem a short while ago. I went through one battery, and changed it. Shortly after, the second battery died. I knew a second battery couldn't have died that fast, so I suspected it was the charging system. I would jump it, and while the cables were connected, it would run fine, but as soon as they came off, the car would die- it just could not hold the charge (this mess took all of 5 hours to sort out, on a horrible night...). I decided to replace the alternator, and sure enough, my old one was the problem. My current battery just needed to be charged as well, as it was dead at the time. Check the fluid levels in your battery, and try and get it charged as well. Test your alternator/voltage and connections, and you should be on your way to solving your problem.

BTW, how much electrical load does your car place on the battery?