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Troubleshooting an alternator

To: triumphs@Autox.Team.Net
Subject: Troubleshooting an alternator
From: Bill Swinehart <bills@pagesz.net>
Date: Fri, 27 Nov 1998 13:05:39 -0500
Good morning Listers,

I left the lights on in my TR6 a few weeks ago and got a battery jump
from a Honda.  I don't think my alternator charges the battery anymore
and the battery goes dead overnight.  Evidently there's a short or
something causing a constant drain.  The car will start after I charge
the battery and it runs real well.  But as I said, the battery is dead
again the next morning.

With the engine running, I read about 12.3 volts across the battery
terminals.  I beleive that should be considerably higher.  The Smith's
ampmeter is always to the left of center and never moves.  I tried
reading across the alternator leads on the back of it.  I see little or
no output from there, about .16 volts.  I'm not sure where I should
measure from, however.

If I have a constant drain from a short, does anyone have suggestions on
how to isolate that?

And, is there a way to isolate the alternator to see if it is working or
would work without the drain?

Thanks in advance for the help I'm sure I'll receive.

Bill Swinehart
TR6
Raleigh, NC


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