My new car won't run unless charged (please read)

[Keenman]

Just bought a new 94 eagle talon and when it runs she runs like a champ, but now it will not start or even turn over unless I charge the battery, which is all fine and dandy if I only have to do it once or twice, but every time the car stops running it wont start or even turn over again unless it is recharged...I was just wandering if you guys think I just need a new battery or if you think it may be the alternator, maybe one of you guys have had this problem before and will be able to help me thanks

 

[MNGSX]

Charge the battery.

Get a DVOM and a battery load tester (aka carbon pile)

Put the test leads into the amperage terminals on the meter.

Should be labeled 10a fused input.

Disconnect the negative battery cable when charging the batt and for this test.

Put the pos lead on the neg clamp and the neg on the negative post and have the meter selector on amps.

If it reads more than 1amp with the ignition off, dome light etc all off you have a short somewhere.

It varies from car to car but there is some normal current draw with the ignition off from things like the radio clock and ECU memory power drain. Not much usually less than half an amp.

No excessive drain no short.

Next use the battery load tester.

leave the neg cable off the sharged battery. If the battery voltage drops off after the load is applied even for a short time it is the battery.

Next test the alternator. First test resistance and continuity between the ring terminal and batt pos terminal. If the fusible link is blown there will be no continuity which = no charge.

Next reconnect the neg cable then start the engine. You should get atleast 14v across the batt terminals.

Next see what happens with the load tester when you go across the battery with a running engine. Sometimes alts make voltage ok when they are'nt really driving anything and then they fall flat on their face when current demands rise.

If you don't have any of that stuff go to a batteries only store since they know batts and aren't trying to sell you anything else. Have them test the batt.

You can also test for igniton off drain by wiring a 12v head light bulb between the neg cable and batt terminal. Or an el cheapo pep boys test light. Ghetto but workable.

Turn on the dome light and look at how bright the test light glows. Turn it off and look at the test light.

Then try it with another car. DSM or otherwise. It should be pretty dim with nothing turned on and the ignition off.

If the batt is good and no shorts are present it is the alternator.