Out of town, slow crank, HELP please.

[badyota82]

I am out of town until tomorrow. Problem started today with a slooow crank. Starts fine after running a while, but drains back down in a couple hours. Load tested batteries at O'reilly, said they are fine. Tested alternator, said it has low amperage and bad diode.

My question is, can a bad diode cause a drain on the batteries, but still charge when driving? If so, Can I just unhook the alternator tonight to keep from draining batteries overnight, and hook it back up for my drive home in and morning. I'll fix it all when I get home just don't have the means to change an alternator right now.

Thank you!!


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[Colin7.3]

yes a bad diode can cause a drain overnight. cause the dioides are what is called a zener diode which works as a one way valve of electrical flow and a bad one will let battery power run to the alternator field at all times ad drain batteries.

yees you can just unhook your alternator and re-hook that should help

[badyota82]

That's what I was hoping to hear. Thank you sir!!


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[michaelaiman]

Not to bust chops,but.... Alternator on these can be changed in the parking lot with 2 simple wrenches.