my car is being real funny and im wondering if someone can kindly tell me what it is.... First off, the battery and alternator are both good, I had them checked at two different places. BUT...

the battery isnt charging while the engine runs. I can charge the battery on a regular battery charger then the car will start just fine and run for a few minutes off the battery, then once the battery goes dead, the car will die. Like i said before, the alternator works cause i had it tested, but for some reason it just isnt working when its on the car... Is there any kind of fuse or anything like that? maybe to control the regulator? cause i know there is that one real small wire that attaches to the alternator through a plug and it goes to the regulator. Any suggestions??? Im stumped...

 

I believe that one wire that plugs in the back goes to your gauges, to let you know its not working. I just had this problem, turned out the battery connector wires needed cleaning, you might want to run a voltmeter through them to see if they are getting current through. I believe with the instrument fuse blown it will not charge the system also, I would personally check al the fuses. Do you have any stereo equipment that might be shorting out against bare metal, or any other wire that may be doing this. I had a guy not to long ago with the wrong battery installed in his truck, the connectors on top were touching the bare metal hood(ouch) Good thing it didn't blow up. THeres only one other wire for power going to the alternator, so I would think somewhere in the wiring or connections. I suppose a fuseable link might cause a problem, but not sure on that one. Just go over everything that might not seem obvious like starter wires grounding out. What does the alternator gauge read when you start the car, how long does it take to drain?