Use a volt meter to check voltage. There should be a
different voltage at the battery when the car is on, and
when it is off. A good battery should be about 12.5 volts
when the car is not running. Over 13 when the car is
running.
If the battery is less than 12.5 volts you might want to buy
a new battery (a better test for the battery is done with a
load tester or a hydrometer, but that's another lesson). If
the voltage doesn't go up when the car is started then you
may have alternator problems.
If the above doesn't prove to be the problem you might want
to look for a drain on the battery.
Leave the car off and the key out of the ignition.
Disconnect the one battery terminal and run a test light in
series with the battery, the light should not light up. If
it does something is running and it shouldn't be.
By the way, it doesn't take much battery to run an MGB, it
does take a good battery to start any car. One of the
things I found when I had alternator problems is I could run
my car for a couple of days before it wouldn't start. If I
suspected I was having a problem if I honked the horn and it
worked I could probably start the car. If the horn wouldn't
honk, I didn't shut the car off until I got home (or parked
on a hill!).
Good luck.
Larry Hoy
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-mgs@autox.team.net
> [mailto:owner-mgs@autox.team.net]On
> Behalf Of FlynShoot@aol.com
> Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2000 4:59 PM
> To: mgs@autox.team.net
> Subject: Battery Not Charging
>
>
> I had my alternator rebuilt, but my battery keeps
> running down after I drive
> the car. I think that the alternator is not
> charging the battery or providing
> enough current to fire the ignition causing the
> battery to do all of the work.
>
> Here are the symptoms:
>
> 1. I charge battery and it holds a charge.
> 2. Car starts.
> 3. I drive around.
> 4. After two or three stops and restarts, battery dead.
> 5. I jump start and car runs fine.
> 6. I get home and charge the battery again.
> 7. At no point does the ignition light come on.
> 8. The car may have a ground problem that
> occurred when the engine was
> replaced.
> 9. I added an additional grounding strap that
> made absolutely no difference.
> 10. The heater cable seems to be energized so is
> disconnected and taped off.
> 11. When the turn signals are used, tach jumps
> around wildly depending on if
> indicator is flashing and car is at idle. At
> speed, tach is steady with
> indicator flashing.
>
>
> Any help would be appreciated.
>
> BTW, the car is no longer for sale. After
> reconsideration and many notes
> saying that I would regret it later, I have
> decided to keep it. And she shows
> me her gratitude by with this problem. MGB's are
> cruel mistresses.
>
> DC Smith
> Flynshoot@aol.com
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