Dead battery, but alrenator's chargeing

MERCURY TRACER
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RGBCH45
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I have a 1988 Mercury Tracer, and I've had the alternator checked 3 times. When I let the car sit idle for 3 or 4 days, the battery's DEAD :shock: , and I mean DEAD :!: , the door buzzer won't even sound. I've tried a good battery, and the same thing. When I drive it for weeks straight, it charges and stats just fine :D , but let it sit for a few days, and it goes dead :x . Ive had AutoZone, and Napa check the alternator, they say "It's working just the way it should" :oops: Now, my question is - Can it still be the alternator? People say "Yes" it can be, they say something about the regulator, and/or the diodes sticking open/closed and draining the battery. I've check all the wires that I could, battery, starter, ground wires etc. Any ideas, does anyone have an answer for this nightmare :?:
Jun 15, 2007 at 2:16 PM
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EPROSSER
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are you postive something is not wearing down the battery while its sitting? rader dectector, truck light, door light?
Nov 23, 2007 at 4:09 PM
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MERLIN2021
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If the alternator has been check, I doubt it is the problem! If you have a voltmeter, remove the negative battery cable, attach the red lead of the meter to the battery post, the black lead to the cable end, with all doors shut, you should see a draw of no more than 1-2volts. If you see a high draw, anything higher than I mentioned, pull the fuses one at a time, check meter for a drop back to normal, then replace the fuse. When you find the one that drops you back to normal, that cucuit is the parasitic drain on the battery, repair that cucuit, and you will be fine!
Nov 23, 2007 at 6:43 PM
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RASMATAZ
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In the event that all fuses are removed and the draw is still there-disconnect all the wiring behind the alternator if the draw is no longer there-the Alty has a shorted diode/s.
Nov 23, 2007 at 6:56 PM