# New battery dead, is it the alternator **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** explorer, ford\ **Created:** [October 8, 2009, 10:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-battery-dead-is-it-the-alternator/37786 "2009-10-08T10:59:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kescott1910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/958977/32.png) [@kescott1910](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kescott1910)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 10:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-battery-dead-is-it-the-alternator/37786/1 "2009-10-08T10:59:28Z")
2003 Ford Explorer XLT with 110K. My wife left the lights on SUV and drained the battery. I could not jump it. Noticed it had the original battery in it so I replaced and it drove fine for 1 day and died again(lights were not left on). I checked voltage of battery and it was 7.6V. Is it the alternator? If so, after I install new alternator how can I recharge my new battery…it’s only 2 days old? ---
**Author:** ![andrew\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@andrew\_j](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andrew_j)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 11:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-battery-dead-is-it-the-alternator/37786/2 "2009-10-08T11:06:59Z")
Get the charging system checked. Some auto parts places do this free if you want to avoid the diagnostic charge. ---
**Author:** ![mcparadise](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mcparadise/32/32_2.png) [@mcparadise](https://community.cartalk.com/u/mcparadise)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 11:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-battery-dead-is-it-the-alternator/37786/3 "2009-10-08T11:11:53Z")
Have the battery and the charging system tested. Most auto parts stores (or wherever you bought the battery) will do this free. It could be a defective battery or it could be something else. Don’t guess. Test the components and be sure. ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 5:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-battery-dead-is-it-the-alternator/37786/4 "2009-10-08T17:44:23Z")
Remember a free electrical system test is worth just what you paid for it,have a real mechanic check you FORD out. ---
**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:** [October 8, 2009, 7:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/new-battery-dead-is-it-the-alternator/37786/5 "2009-10-08T19:04:40Z")
It does sound like the alternator or the wiring to it has a problem. Use a battery charger that can deliver 8 to 10 amps to charge the battery back up. Don’t use the alternator as a battery charger, even if it is working like it should be.