s40newbie wrote on 01/16/10 at 05:31:46:Thinking the same thing to be honest. I forgot to mention i checked the circuit with a multi meter and it showed 14.8V with the engine running
Electrical is not my strong area, but whowing 14.8v when running just indicates that the system is
trying to charge the battery and does not necessarily mean it is
accepting the charge.
I have had experience in the past where a battery was destroyed along with an alternator simply because the battery ground cable was corroded inside, but I did not realize it because the cable was covered with plastice/rubber stuff. When I peeled the covering off the ground cable was totally messed up and corroded from end to end.
Since the cable was bad the battery was not able to accept a charge and died a terrible death, but the alternator also died because it
continually worked itself to death trying to charge a battery that was not able to accept it. All for the sake of a simpe ground cable.
That may not be your problem but be sure to check every connection for a clean contact surface, and each cable for corrosion, and battery fluid level and quality. If after a recharge the battery will still not maintain its charge then get a new battery.