# 2000 Saturn Draining battery **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [August 14, 2007, 11:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-saturn-draining-battery/3124 "2007-08-14T23:29:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jacobwiley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e47774/32.png) [@jacobwiley](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jacobwiley)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2007, 11:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-saturn-draining-battery/3124/1 "2007-08-14T23:29:13Z")
I have a 2000Saturn SL1 and the battery keeps draining… I took the negative cable off and it died. When i got he alternator tested it was fine. While the car is running the alternator will not keep it charged. it just dies again. the lights do not get any brighter when i rev the engine and im not sure if there is a voltage regulator… i havent tested for shorts yet, but i was wondering if anyone could help me. ---
**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 12:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-saturn-draining-battery/3124/2 "2007-08-15T00:29:13Z")
Well, everything suggests a bad battery. Why haven’t you had the battery tested? If it is more than five years old, skip testing and just replace the battery. ---
**Author:** ![jacobwiley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e47774/32.png) [@jacobwiley](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jacobwiley)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 1:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-saturn-draining-battery/3124/3 "2007-08-15T01:01:39Z")
that was my next step. i just didnt wanna spend the money if it wasnt needed… i do have a nice stereo system, so i will try it. THANK YOU! ---
**Author:** ![jacobwiley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e47774/32.png) [@jacobwiley](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jacobwiley)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 1:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-saturn-draining-battery/3124/4 "2007-08-15T01:04:44Z")
now that i think about it… wouldnt the alternator keep it running??? ---
**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 1:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-saturn-draining-battery/3124/5 "2007-08-15T01:16:03Z")
Yes, it should. Perhaps there is more here than meets the eye. But you have given us few clues. If there is indeed a problem with the electrical system you must at least start with a sound battery before anyone can diagnose further. ---
**Author:** ![jacobwiley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e47774/32.png) [@jacobwiley](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jacobwiley)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 1:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-saturn-draining-battery/3124/6 "2007-08-15T01:21:10Z")
alright…sounds good… i wll reply furher when i get the battery ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 2:22am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-saturn-draining-battery/3124/7 "2007-08-15T02:22:49Z")
It sure sounds like a bad alternator to me and is not putting out enough to charge the battery. I believe the regulator is internal to the alternator though. The battery may be shot by now too by being discharged so much. Put a charger on the battery to see if it holds a full charge or not. Personally I don’t trust those guys checking alternators. I’ve had bad ones before that they swore were fine. ---
**Author:** ![Cougar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cougar/32/21348_2.png) [@Cougar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cougar)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2007, 6:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2000-saturn-draining-battery/3124/8 "2007-08-15T06:11:31Z")
If you had the alternator tested on the bench it is still possible the unit isn’t working in the car. Make sure the battery light comes on when you turn the key from the OFF to the ON or RUN position. There may also be a problem with the lead from the alternator to the battery. With a voltmeter reading the voltage at the battery you should see at least 12.7 volts to 14.8 volts while the engine is running around 2,000 RPM.