89 Si 194,000 miles

My battery wasn't charging so I figured the original 17 yr old alternator was dying and I replaced it. Worked for a short time but now the battery still isn't charging.

It could be the 7 year old duralast battery is dead but I don't want to throw money at this beater if it is something else that is wrong. It would cost $90 to diagnose it.

Any thoughts????

I'm about to give up on it and buy a new civic but maybe it is something simple to fix.

 

If the alt is new, then check all the wiring in the charging system if it's not the battery. It could be pretty rusty and corroded on a 17yr old car...

 

Well.. do a load test on the batt.. it will tell you if it's your batt, or alt. that needs to be replaced.. .. you could get a load tester on the net less then $90.. but I'm sure if you go to your local auto parts store they could to a load test for you for free

 

might need some new battery connectors.

 

thanks for the ideas, the guy at autozone wouldn't do a load test because he thought it might kill the battery, but maybe i'll try that at another autozone much closer to home

i did replace the battery connectors a year or so ago and they look good

the wires at the battery and alternator all look good, but i could follow them and see if something is corroded elsewhere

 

i took the car to the shop this morning and they say the alternator is bad, turns out the one i put in was bad, so that sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i try to fix the thing and i get bad parts, you assume when you buy a part that it works, but i guess not