azZdriver Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 (edited) It is a '81 280zx non-turbo and has a new alternator but for some reason the battery still drains while driving. I know it is while driving because I disconnected the battery when not driving in case there was a short some where that was draining the battery. Any ideas? Also, tried to post in Troubleshooting but wasn't allowed to create a topic there. Edited January 23, 2012 by azZdriver Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZed Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Get a volt/ohm meter and take some measurements. Search and read some threads. It's a common problem with many potential causes. Sounds like your new alternator is not charging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsicard Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Run the car up to 2000 RPM and check voltage at the heavy post on the alternator. Should be 13-14 volts if the alternator is working properly. If the voltage does not rise above 11-12 volts, then the alternator is not working. Check to see that the alternator is getting battery voltage excitation on the field winding. If yes, then the alternator is defective. If no, then a fuse may be blown. Fix same and try again for heavy post voltage 13-14 volts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azZdriver Posted January 23, 2012 Author Share Posted January 23, 2012 Thanks, will do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewZed Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 (edited) Someone just had a similar problem on a different forum and it was a bad fusible link. As noted, the charging circuit is fused, your bad alternator might have blown it. Edited January 23, 2012 by NewZed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warrenHLS3083301 Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 My rear window defogger relay drains my battery, so I unplugged it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ovenfood Posted January 23, 2012 Share Posted January 23, 2012 Your car should run with the battery disconected once started, if it does not then its likely your alternator is not conected/working correctly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FricFrac Posted January 24, 2012 Share Posted January 24, 2012 Your car should run with the battery disconected once started, if it does not then its likely your alternator is not conected/working correctly As long as noise from the alternator doesn't freak everything out... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
450HPZ Posted January 27, 2012 Share Posted January 27, 2012 Sounds like either a fusable link (pos) or A bad connection somewhere. The fusable links should all be replaced with fuses as all they do is cause trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tecreatta Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 I had a similar experience a while back. Ended up being the alternator belt wasn't tight enough. I run a vg maxima alternator in my s130 though so its a bit more of pain to get in there with a flat bar. Although the problem may be a lemon alternator with a blown diode or fusible link in your case. It does happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azZdriver Posted February 6, 2012 Author Share Posted February 6, 2012 Sounds like either a fusable link (pos) or A bad connection somewhere. The fusable links should all be replaced with fuses as all they do is cause trouble. Yep, it was a fusible link. Now on to all the other things she needs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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