Replaced Alternator And Battery Car Still Dies – Fix Now

You thought that replacing the alternator and battery in your car would fix the electrical problems, but to your surprise, they didn’t work. It’s not always possible to correct the problem.

Replacing the alternator and battery may not resolve car stalling issues due to potential parasitic draw, faulty connections, or other electrical problems that require further diagnosis

There are various reasons why your car may still be experiencing problems, and in this article, we will explore some of the common culprits.

Why Does My Car Dies After Replacing New Alternator And Battery?

1. Parasitic Drain: 

Even when the car is off, an electrical component or circuit draws power. This electrical loss can slowly drain the battery, causing starting issues and, in extreme situations, vehicle failure. In my case, the culprit is a parasitic drain.

2. Faulty Wiring:

I’ve been through this problem myself, so let me break it down for you. Faulty wiring, generally caused by damaged or frayed cables, can disrupt your vehicle’s electrical system. This can cause intermittent lights and engine stalling.

Electrical terminal and connection corrosion increases resistance, and voltage dips, causing many electrical difficulties.

3. Distributor Issues:

The distributor sends high-voltage sparks to engine cylinders. When poor spark distribution is not working, you might face problems like engine misfires and uneven operation.

You see, wear and dampness, along with loose electrical connections in the distributor, are some of the common issues you might encounter.

4. Fuel Pump Relay:

When the fuel pump switch doesn’t work right, it stops your engine from getting the right amount of fuel, which can cause problems starting or stopping.

5. Testing Resistance: 

High resistance in electrical systems makes it harder for current to flow smoothly, which affects how different parts work, including my vehicle.

6. Bad Ground Connection:

Electrical problems in your cars are often caused by poor grounding, which stops the circuit from finishing correctly.

7. Faulty Alternator:

An alternator that doesn’t charge the battery correctly could have a problem inside, or the voltage control could be broken.

9. Electrical Issues:

Electrical problems can be caused by broken sensors, wires, or parts of the electrical system that don’t work right.

• A fuse that is worn out or broken can mess up electrical connections, and spark plugs that need to be fixed can make combustion less efficient.
• If the ignition switch doesn’t work right, the car might not start, and if the ignition coil is broken, there might not be any spark.
• Accessories like the alternator and water pump might only work if the belt tension is on.

How To Fix Car Dies After Replacing New Alternator And Battery?

I understand the frustration of experiencing your car dying even after replacing the alternator and battery. Your car’s reliability is crucial, and I’ve personally faced this issue.

After trying and testing various fixes, I’m sharing these solutions to help you get your vehicle back on the road with confidence. Your car’s well-being is important to us!

1. Identify The Source Of Drain:

Disconnect the negative battery cable and measure the current between the cable and the battery terminal to find the drain. To find the circuit causing excessive current flow, remove fuses one by one.

2. Check Wiring Harnesses:

First, visually verify your vehicle’s wiring harnesses and connections. Check for exposed wires, fraying, and burned insulation. 

Damaged wiring must be repaired or replaced. Insulate repaired areas to prevent problems. This ensures a safe and reliable automotive electrical system.

Corroded terminals and connections? Use a wire brush or terminal cleaner. I Used dielectric grease after cleaning to prevent corrosion and ensure a good electrical connection. Maintaining will prevent this issue.

3. Address Distributer Issues:

First, I was visually inspecting the distributor cap and rotor for issues. Check for cracks, dampness, corrosion, and tight connections. If you notice these symptoms, replace the distributor cap and rotor. Spark distribution may be restored with this simple adjustment, boosting engine performance and reliability.

4. Diagnose Fuel Pump Relay:

I found the fuel pump switch in the engine bay fuse box to determine what was wrong. Put in a different relay of the same type that you know works. If the problem with your car is fixed, you should get a new fuel pump switch. You might not need to buy a new fuel pump if you do this easy test.

5. Assess Resistance:

Check the resistance between lines and connections with a multimeter. After that, change any parts with unusually high resistance to get the current flowing smoothly again. Problems can be avoided by checking the resistance regularly.

6. Check Alternator:

Use a multimeter to check the alternator’s voltage output. If it’s outside the acceptable range, the alternator may need repair or replacement. Let’s replace it!

• Begin by ensuring your safety and safeguarding the electrical system by disconnecting the battery. Use a wrench to remove the negative cable and keep it at a safe distance.
• Locate the alternator, usually near the front of the engine. Consult your car’s manual for precise guidance.
• Use a specialized tool to release the serpentine belt that drives the alternator. Slide it off the pulley.
• Disconnect the electrical connections, starting with the battery wire, and label them for later reconnection.
• Remove the alternator’s mounting bolts, supporting its weight to prevent damage.
• Install the new alternator, secure it with mounting bolts, and tighten them according to manufacturer specifications.
• Reconnect the electrical connections, ensuring all cables and wires are correctly reattached.
• Install the serpentine belt, ensuring it’s securely hooked onto all engine pulleys.
• Finally, reconnect the negative battery cable and tighten the terminals to complete the replacement process.

7. Check Ground Connections:

From my experience of many years, ground connections should be clean and secure. Confirm their attachment to exposed metal for electrical component grounding. Ground connection can be maintained with regular checks.

8. Fix Electrical Issues:

Figure out the exact issue by identifying the signs, and then follow the steps for fixing or replacing the broken part. For more complicated problems, look at a repair manual or talk to an expert.

• Check the voltage of the battery with a digital tester. It should be at least 12.60 volts. It might be time for an update if the voltage is low.
• You can use a hydrometer to check the health of the cells in your battery if it is not sealed. Batteries can have problems if their cells are weak.
• If a fuse blows, replace it with one of the suitable grades. Check the owner’s instructions for your car to find out what spark plugs you need and how far apart they should be.
• If tests show that the ignition switch or coil is the problem, you should replace them.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how to adjust the belt tightness. Usually, this means loosening the part (like the alternator) and ensuring the belt is tensioned adequately before re-tightening it.

Replaced Alternator Car Still Dies:

Your car’s alternator died and won’t start after replacing it. Incorrect alternator installation or a damaged battery could cause this issue. DIY diagnosis to save time and money may reveal fuse box or battery drain concerns, resulting in improper replacement. Before making any repairs, experts must diagnose the issue.

What To Do After Replacing The Alternator?

After installing a new alternator, it is essential to perform some checks to ensure everything is correctly installed and working as it should. Here’s a step-by-step guide for you that I have personally used after replacing the alternator to avoid further problems:

1. Check Wire Harness And Connections: 

Check the wire harness that is linked to the alternator to make sure it is properly fastened and secured. Before moving on, you should fix any loose wires or connection issues.

2. Inspect Internal Components: 

Make sure that all of the alternator’s internal parts are working correctly. The voltage control and diodes are part of this.

3. Battery Terminal Connection: 

It is essential to make sure that all of the lines are correctly connected to the positive and negative battery terminals on both sides of the car.

4. Examine For Loose Wires: 

Check to see if there are any broken wires inside the alternator. These can cause sparks or other electrical issues. Keep any loose wires in place.

5. Start The Car:

Start the car after checking all of the links and parts inside. If the alternator works appropriately, recheck the links and wires to ensure they stay tight. Also, ensure the alternator’s battery connection is properly fused to it.

Quick answers:

1. What Can Cause Parasitic Drain?

Parasitic drain can be caused by aftermarket parts, blown fuses, corroded wire, or an ignition switch that doesn’t work right.

2. How Do You Know If It’s My Starter Or Alternator?

Observe your car’s behaviour to identify if the starter or alternator is failing. Since it starts the engine, a malfunctioning starter may cause your car not to start. However, if your car starts but dies when you pull the jumper cables, the alternator may not produce enough current.

3. Why Is My Car Struggling To Start, But The Battery Is Good?

Your car’s starting depends on the alternator, which powers electrical components. New batteries can have starting troubles due to the alternator. Extreme weather, icy and damp, can hasten alternator wear and failure.

4. What Is Draining My Car Battery When It’s Off?

Your vehicle battery may become dead if electronics such as anti-theft devices, GPS systems or wiring malfunction parasitize it by drawing power when the engine is switched off. In addition, disconnections or rusted ends can also lead to loss of power.

Finalization:

Finally, it can be stressful and confusing if you’ve changed your car’s alternator and battery, but it still needs to be fixed. Some things, including electrical issues or broken parts like switches, spark plugs, and more, could cause your car’s ongoing problems. To solve this problem correctly, it’s essential to do a complete diagnostic process. First, check the voltage of the battery, the fuses, and the wires for damage, and make sure there is an excellent link to the ground.