My kid has a 1983 caprice that the battery goes dead. originally we thought alternator was bad. when we put voltmeter on battery (12volts at rest) and started car voltage dropped. we were expecting 13volts or so. we have taken alternator in twice, two different shops and both said alternator checked out o.k. upon further examination we found one of the spade wires that go into a connector that attaches to the alternator bad. It would slip out of the plastic connector. we were able to repair this connector (supply of field voltage?) and then started car and voltage this time did not drop and it read about 12.4 volts. we went to lunch and came back about 1hr later and car started with no problem. (well almost no problem it is a
1983). voltage read just a little over 12volts but it was not dropping below. (unless headlights were turned on and then 11.7volts). before my kids car would not start even after 1hr of just sitting.my kid tried starting car next day and battery completly dead.
my thoughts are something is staying on and draining battery. I think to troubleshoot problem we need to get car started and let it run for a little while charging battery. then turn car off and then remove neg cable to battery and put meter in between to see if current is being drawn. if so start pulling fuses and see if we can find culprit.
battery was replaced about 5 months ago. he pulled both alternator and battery out and the parts store said both check out o.k. We even got a second opinion on the alternator.
any other thoughts on my kids caprice classic woes out there? my kid lives a little way out of town and works 6 to 7 days a week. so our trouble shooting time is somewhat limited. any input would be helpful.
thanks rod