Comments on: Can a mistake on battery changing cause electrical problems in a car?

By: mister ss

mister ss — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:03:15 +0000

sounds like your alternator has given up the ghost, go to autozone and have the charging system checked out, the only way they could have done something wrong was to put the negative cable on the positive terminal by mistake and then try to hook up the positive cable to the negative terminal, that would more than likely fry your alternator.

By: Mr. T

Mr. T — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:27:49 +0000

If the battery terminals were inadvertently hooked up backwards, damage to the alternator may occur. Usually blows the diodes in the alternator. It will not charge with a bad diode.

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By: Mc Duff

Mc Duff — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:15:22 +0000

hooking up the wrong terminals will cause other problems
because dc current acts that way — guess the alternator
and/or points got fried

By: RED

RED — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:31:50 +0000

YES you have a problem be it a “drain” or “short” in the system or just the alternator is gone bad ,and the shop that did the diagnosing of the problem should of told you that ‘but they are only taking your CASH!!!

By: Niklaus Pfirsig

Niklaus Pfirsig — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:12:10 +0000

Sometimes. It is more likely that you have a faulty alternator. They tend to go bad by shutting down when the engine warms up. The result is that when the engine is cold, the battery recharges, When the engine is hot it soesn’t charge the battery, and eventually stops charging all together.
Another possible cause is a faulty alternator belt. If a belt get glazed, it will slip just enough to keep the alternator light off but wont charge the battery. Most auto parts stores will check the battery, alternator and belt for free

By: Tom C

Tom C — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:37:41 +0000

Check the date of manufacture on that new battery they just sold you.

New batteries have a shelf life of only 6 months. They need to be used within that time. This is because lead acid batteries are already starting to very slowly lose their charge right after manufacture. After 6 months, the chemicals in the battery start to sulfate (collect a sludge) and some of the battery cells start to die off. At first the battery may still have a charge in it but it will refuse to take a recharge.

Be sure to check if you got a fresh battery off the factory less than 6 months old!

By: nolmthug24

nolmthug24 — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:12:17 +0000

it sounds like the alternator is getting ready to go. call up your local parts store or quick lube. most of them will have free battery and alternator analysis machines

By: Jeff Mitchell

Jeff Mitchell — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:58:27 +0000

I had the same problem with my car. It kept dying everytimeI would cut the car off and it turned out to be the battery cables.

I changed them both and no more problems

By: ja man

ja man — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:03:33 +0000

Why did the battery need changed to begin with? Chances are they didn’t hook something up right when it was changed or the problem existed prior to the battery being changed you just didn’t realize it. See if you have a place that can check the electrical and give you an estimate they will generally tell you what is wrong before you agree to having them fix it and it shouldn’t cost alot if anything. Good luck!

By: john m

john m — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:46:28 +0000

the alternator gave up. do not go at the same shop.