Replaced battery, worked for a few days, then nothing.

[svenge]

I've got a 88 DL sedan, its battery (which was 2-3 years old) seemed to have died, so I had the battery recharged. It worked for a couple days, then the car had no response at all thereafter. No lights would work, wouldn't attempt to turn over (or even "click" when I tried to start the car), nada. So I replaced the battery, and it worked for a few days. However, now it's not doing anything at all again. What gives?

[bheinen74]

alternator?

 

I have seen new batteries that are BAD out of the stores. But not usually 2 in a row.

 

So yeah, alternator.

[whistler]

You should be able test the alternator by measuring across the battery terminals with a multimeter (fairly cheap at radioshack or you can get a better one from an electronics supplier.) When the engine is running the terminals should read 13-14v. Or you usually get a place like sears parts or another place that sells batteries to test it for you for free. I had to replace the alternator in my forester a few years ago when the battery kept dying. If it is the alternator do some research on here, there may be a swap from another car that will be an upgrade to support future accessories if you want to add more lights or whatever.

[CHIM]

Now way to check voltages, but unhook the battery when the car is running, if it dies the alternator isn't working.