[Skidude]

I need help guys. My daughter bought a 1991 tercel and sometimes when she is driving it the battery light comes on and the car dies and won't start again. The next morning you hop into it and it starts maybe a few times and the car dies again soon after the light comming on. Any ideas? I have replaced the battery last Friday and here we are Tuesday and problem is back. Just a note: I have replaced the radio to a pioneer cd player the week before everything started, but that could be just a fluke.Any ideas would be great.

 

[kene]

there might be short somewhere onthe vehicle. or one of the parts of the engine are always on even though it should be off. unless its your alternator's diode. IT may be bad. start at the alternator and see what happens. mine was working at times and not working at times. autoaone can check it for free 4 u.

 

[jeffs94]

I agree with Kene, if your alternator diodes are bad it will turn on the light. Yes autozone can check it but they cannot check it under a load(headlights, brights, fan motor, windshield wiper motor on high, rear defroster). All of these accessories create a load on the alternator to include the stereo and amps. I'd say have it checked ASAP and replace it if its bad as a bad alternator thats putting out AC instead of DC can ruin a good battery, amongst other things.

 

[kene]

yes soem can check it under load. they have the mobile sabre machines that they wheel out to the parking lot. not all have this though.

 

[Skidude]

Thanks guy, in looking into it there was a problem with the alternator. There was three broken wires in the winding.