Need to help a friend

[79cutlasssalon442]

So, my friend's uncle gave my friend a 1993 nissan sentra se. He is going to just use it for a fied car since it needs a lot of work. We changed the alternator last night (which is terrible to do). He was told the alternator was new. The car needs a jump start each time. And runs fine with the cables on. As soon as the cable gets pulled off the engines quits. Or runs really sluggish until it dies. Any ideas? Thanks

 

[xitabl442]

Do you have meter to put on it to verify that the alt is actually working? I would think that it should start regardless if the alt works or not. Also check all grounds that you can find. Does the battery charge with a charger? Maybe the battery is junk. Are you jumping directly to the batt or to a charging post elsewhere?
What is a fied car?

 

[wonderboy24]

find out if it has a separate voltage regulator. if i am right the newer alts have separate voltage regulator.the older cars if you pull the positive cable while it is running then it would be the alt

 

[mike87442]

Check the "batt" or "charge" indicator light on the dash,beleive it or not if that bulb is burnt out the alternator will not charge.The system needs the bulb to complete the circuit.Just turn the key to on and see if it lights up

 

[79cutlasssalon442]

Do you have meter to put on it to verify that the alt is actually working? I would think that it should start regardless if the alt works or not. Also check all grounds that you can find. Does the battery charge with a charger? Maybe the battery is junk. Are you jumping directly to the batt or to a charging post elsewhere?
What is a fied car?

Field car sorry. Typing too fast..

 

[Evan11]

Start the car & put a voltage Meter on the battery, if it's reading somewhere along the lines of 13.2-15 volts, the alt is working.