Alternator Problem ??? ( fixed lots of things )

[ShouldaHadaV8]

Ok so my car has always seemed to have a parasitic draw causing my battery to be dead as long as I leave my battery terminals connected, I never worried about it and I know how to pull fuses and test where the problem is coming from but never did.
As of yesterday I was driving the car( 92 s13 ) trying to break in my clutch, when suddenly the battery was dead and the car died. sooooo does anybody know how to test the alternator before I go buy one for $75-100

[biggie]

Take it off, go to parts store and they test for free.

Or if only car just go there and get them to test.

[nofatchicks0073]

its most likely dead though if your car died while you were driving cause your altenator should provide enough power to run your car while its on so have fun changing it its not very hard it takes two beers to take out, a beer while putting it in a bag so you dont get your buddys car dirty, two beers and a shot at the bar for you and your friend to thank him for the ride, and up to six more to get it back in because now your starting to work on a buzz and its getting dark and your doing more talking than working haha at least thats how it usually works out for me anyway

[OutToWinPAHC]

A current clamp and a volt meter also work

[ShouldaHadaV8]

Sweet ,I guess I can just take it with me to Autozone and I'll get them to recharge my battery at the same time.

I forgot they did that, thanks you guys. I'll pick up a 24 pack on the way home from work.

[compactfean]

I rebuilt my ser alternator the cheep way. Just replaced the brushes. Cost me 9$ in parts and 11$ in beer! Lol. If you have a draw issue it wouldn't be brushes...most likely the diode or voltage regulator. When you get into those parts it would be more cost effective to just replace the alternator. Brushes diode and regulator is an easy 60 bucks. How are your gauges working? Sounds like you ended up with one hell of a project car.

[ShouldaHadaV8]

Thats an under statement ( project car )
Wiring is my biggest problem, when I got the car from my friend we had just blew up the KA which went through 4 rough owners, and blew up because it was overheating and the gauges didnt work ( temp gauge ). I gave him a set of 22"rims which fit his 6 lug chevy in trade for the 240sx with a clean title, then bought a 96 ka with 98k miles for $200.
All 4 of the past owners said the car had a parasitic draw which they couldn't figure out, one even took it to a wiring specialist because the car wasnt starting and the guy fixed it for free and told him " dont ever bring this car back here"

[compactfean]

Oh btw sometimes autozones tests will say your alternator is good when its not. My alternator they said was fine and wasn't. I tested battery voltage with car running and my voltage was perfect. I turned my fans,radio, heater on and voltage dropped to 12.2v. If you have a parasitic draw from the alternator you can unplug it and check your battery the next day and if its not dead than there is your problem.(sounds like the alternator is toast anyways). Keep up the good work man. Sounds like its coming along.

[ShouldaHadaV8]

Wow I replaced the alternator with new NISSAN alternator and I was given a new duralast gold because it killed my old one.
But replacing both had a big effect. My headlights flip up/down again and my power windows work again. and appaernetly my instrument panel Now works.
didnt see that one coming

[nofatchicks0073]

haha what? you my friend found a magic alternator