[RESOLVED] Car dies when disconnecting Jumper Cables

[gsx luis]

Okay first the question, and then backstory if you care to read.
Car can start with a jump, yet wont stay on... any ideas why?

Fuses look good
NEW Alternator
Charged battery (havent had it checked yet, on my way to do so now)


Ok so a couple of weeks back a friend and I were working on my 91 gsx. The battery was dead when we went to start it up so we put in a spare battery I had to get it to start up (possibly stupid idea.. proves it in the next 15 min). So we start the car and everything looks good, take it for a spin and the very first bump i hit BAM car dies everything electrical is dead. so we try to pop the hood and see whats happening and we can see that the battery is a tad too tall and Arc'd itself to the hood, so we break it free, push it back to my house to change the battery back.

So the old DEAD battery goes back into the car, and i check the fuses and everything looks fine so far. Car obviously wont start so I try to jump it so i can get it up my driveway as this point the car is parked on the street. Cool car starts and i let it charge up for about 10 min. I go to disconnect the jumper cables and car dies. I then change the alternator from my friends advice as its gotten some power steering fluid spilled on it and guessed it could have been ruined.

 

[96eclipzGsT]

The alternator is not charging for some reason. That is why it will run as long as the battery has a charge. Have alternator tested, check fuse.

 

[gsx luis]

Right, I checked fuses and changed Alternator and still same problem

 

[96eclipzGsT]

Take one of the alternators to autozone to test so you can make sure you have a good one. Make sure you have all electrical connections right on the back of it.

 

[Ihatethisdsm]

had a similar issue a while back.. the alternator 100 amp fuse blew but it blew at the very bottom of the fuse that was hard to see. and i went through 3 alternators before i got a good one from Advanced

 

[RMawddsm]

Right, I checked fuses and changed Alternator and still same problem

Ran into this issue on 2 cars, the quick work around that I tried to narrow down the issue was connect a jumper cable to the battery and the other end to the positive out on the alternator. Car 1 turned out to be a fuse and car 2 turned out to be a bad autozone alternator (went through 4 before getting a junk yard replacement)

 

[turbodsm_125]

Check the terminals on your battery. If they are dirty or coroded it will give you serious issues. Also watch jumping ## car with the key on. Can destroy your ecm. Watched it happen on my friends 3000gt. Melted the board inside the ecm

 

[YOOOO]

I had the exact same problem with a brand new alternator. Check alternator fuse and ground wires.

 

[aaronhawk60]

definately get the alt checked I have on more than one occasion had to go back a couple times to get a good alt.

 

[casperfast]

i had a similar problem after my wreck, my idiot neighbor connected the jumpers backwards, it ended up flowing my rimary bridge/charge fuse (bolted down). check that guy, mines was blown to bits, but ive seen them appear ok until tested with an ohm mter

 

[gsx luis]

Thanks guys I finally have the time to check the alt. today, ill hoefully get this done

 

[DSM1G90]

...and stay away from "Autocrapzone" alternators .. goto a better known shop or store .. like NAPA or similar...

 

[cummins990]

Funny story, I bought 3 alternators from Murray's until I got a good one.

 

[TSIMonsteR]

My new one form Autozone took a dump within the first gas tank. Got another one and its been like a champ so far. At least they're easy to change and have a "no fuss" lifetime warranty.

Also, the ones from NAPA are expensive. You can get an OEM one from the dealer for not much more.

 

[gsx luis]

Yeah it turned out to just be another bad alternator! so swapped it out and took it for a spin and on the way into the driveway the clutch sticks to the floor... I love old cars!

 

[MattUnderwood]

I thought it was just me that had problems with Autozone's parts. I had to go threw around 3 starters before I finally got one that lasted me longer than a month. Everyone there could not figure out how it kept "blowing the starter." I'm staying away from that shop from now on.