I am at a loss folks,

Battery keeps draing its self flat after 5/6 mls or after long idle just stops, I have changed the battery and used a working alternator it's still doing it, Thing is I have been told its doing it because I don't have the clocks or speedo connected can this be right ??.

 

Have you checked voltage at the battery while the engine is running to see if the alternator is actually charging effectively ?

 

iirc - the alt needs to see a voltage coming from the clocks - im sure i came accross a fault once for non charge and it was the bulb in the dash had blown - try plugging in the clocks and then check what the voltage is at the battery should be around 14.3 if charging -

 

I have you can watch it drop like a stone but I know the alternator I tried is in perfect working order as it works on other car when we refit it, Was told without clocks fitted it breaks the circuit so won't charge sadly the clocks are at a friends while the cars in the workshop.

 

Opps see this after I replyed to the last post, Will have to get the clocks and see wot happens.

 

as above. the alternator need a signal from the battery light on the dash to excite the alternator into charge mode

 

Sort of..........when the engine is started, the battery illuminates the warning light on the dash. The alternator sees this as a demand for charge and begins to charge, the light goes out.

If the light never illuminates, the alternator charging circuits are never excited, so no charge.

 

So once I connect the clocks back up in theory all should be good if the battery light comes on and then goes out once car is running ?.