Battery can't keep power

[yosh_09]

Howzit going? I own an '89 240 sx se fastback (SOHC motor), and have owned it since 1999. It is in good condition and never gave me any electrical problems that I couldn't fix without a simple fuse/sensor replacement. However, it has got me stooped this time. The only problem is that I don't have the time to work on it because I moved away (from Hilo to Honolulu) and was not able to bring it with me because of its unreliability. The story: Two days before I moved away, as I was doing errands, the battery started to sound weak when I would start my car and also the performance wasn't there. The next morning I tried to start the car and it was dead. Naturally, I thought I left the dome light or fog lights on. Nope! I put in a new battery and a little later while driving around town it started dying again. I went through 3 batteries that day. Well, I had to get my errands done. Well, I left home a very sad person because my baby was "dead." My uncle (he's a mechanic) tested the alternator for me and changed it in hopes that was the cause. Of course it isn't that simple. My battery still can't retain power and when I go home I have to rent a car. It totally sucks. I also detached my amp to see if it was the culprit, but it wasn't, and my subs have also gave out on me recently Has anyone else had this problem before and if so what can I do? What can be draining my battery even when its not in use? I miss my baby and want her by my side.

Much mahalo's for any help possible.

[Florida240sx]

I'm stumped as well.Did he check the new alternator before he installed it? I've gotten brand new factory parts that don't work.I don't think it would be any fuses because it would break connection thus not draining any power....check glove box light and floor lights....

[yosh_09]

Thanks for the help. I'll ask him to check the new altenator. So you getting the VG? Sweet! Good luck with that install.

[slownslurious]

put a multimeter in series between the positive battery post and the positive battery terminal on the wiring harness... how many amps is it pulling with the key off? You might have a slow short if its higher than .02 or .03

EDIT: I re read your story. its the alternator, it has to be. While driving around town doing errands, the engine won't use battery power at all, so the fact that it died while you were driving it suggests that it is indeed the alternator. When its not putting up power the engine drains the battery until its dead and then shuts off. If you tried a new alternator get the new alt tested and double check all the wiring.