Expert: Sean Halliday - 6/4/2008

Question
Hi,
This morning I found my car had a dead battery. After I jumped it and drove
it around/let it run to charge the battery up, I went to the store. When I
returned to the car, I noticed that my tail lights (including the one mounted
on my rear window) were still on. I tried to take the fuses out, and removed
(one by one) all of the fuses from the fuse box, but could only get the left
light to go out. Another thing I noticed was that my radio was no longer
getting power, even after I jump started the car. I was going to disconnect
the battery so the lights couldn't drain it, but it ran down really quickly,
before I could do so. Do you have any sense of what sort of problem could
cause this? I've never had a part of my car stay powered after I've shut it off
and removed the key. I can't afford to take it to a shop until next weekend,
but thought it would be best if I got some pointers first!! Any help/advice you
can offer would be so very much appreciated!~!!

Thanks,
Patricia

Answer
Have the alternator tested.It should be putting out 14 volts approx if the battery was dead.Also test the battery on a load test for dead cells.This can be done by a parts shop,finally,dont disconnect the battery while the engine is running.Bad for the alternator.