Expert: Robert Summers - 11/18/2007

Question
Hello!
My 2001 Chevrolet Przim recently has got a battery problem.
Any new battery replaced can be used for only no more than two weeks before the car can't get started.  In order to find out if the alternator had a problem I removed the battery from the car and got the car jump started thru another car and found that I can still drive the car as normal as if everything was ok.  This seems proved that the alternator is good.  So could you tell me what seems wrong with my car? Thanks.

Answer
Hi Bill... that doesn't mean that the alt is good... use a dvom and see what the alt is returning to the battery it should be around 14.1 volts any less than 14 is not enough and alt needs looked at.also check that you do not have a short to ground from any live wire....hope this helps