Charging issues. NO power!

[slowbird]

A while ago...I had an issue with the alternator wires being pinched between the block and the power steering pump. They were shorting and causing charging problems. I have since patched up any severed wires, and covered them with a good sized helping of Electrical tape. I also bought a new battery then too.

Yesterday, I was driving around all day...no problems. I did an oil change (I did it), washed the car, watched a movie then went for a long drive. After the car was parked for a bit I went to go move into another spot and I noticed my volts gauge at around 10-11V. The signals would blink very slowly. I drove home (30mins) and the volts gauge didn't move unless I hit the brakes or used my signals. I checked all of the previous severed connections, and tried moving some of the wires to see if the Volts would move but no dice.

So I removed my starter...cleaned all the connections, and checked the fusible links.

I got a Volt meter thingy. Put one of the probes in the wire to one side of the fusible link, and another to the starter connector on the other side of the fusible link.

*BEEP* Continuity.

I tried it with all 3 FUsible links by the starter and got continuity.

I made sure the starter connections were clean and tight...attached starter and gave her a crank. It started up fine...the car was getting the exact same Volts. 11-12V

We checked the amount of power coming off the battery. 12.5V Off the Alt while running...the same. Rev the motor...volts drop a bit.
All of the wires going to the Alt have good continuity as far as I can reach.

So...again. I've tried 4 Alternators ( 1 new, and one off a car that it worked on for sure) All the Alts gave off the Exact same Output.
I've tried 3 Batteries...all hold the same charge.
I've tried 2 starters. No dice.

Any suggestions would be great. I've been bumming rides to work...the car won't hold any charge.

[RajWD]

My guess would be either battery terminals or the wiring to/from
the alt. Some stupid things can happen.

Question... All the grounds good?

[Doubt_Incarnate]

check for short somewhere, it may be working, but actually just dumping it to ground

[slowbird]

The Battery, Alternator, and Starter ground are good.

Where are the others?

[Doubt_Incarnate]

charge the battery up and let it sit hooked up in the car overnight. check the voltage the next day and see if its down that would indicate a short grounding it out. like a cable rubbed through somewhere and contacting metal. you dont have a system in it do you? youd have to check every wire from the positive side for a short. double check the alternator connections and make sure they are insulated correctly. it seems most likely to be working correctly just not able to deliver thepower to the battery. gm cars, we have the screw in side connections... just last year i had to chang a cable on moms suv because the battery leaked into the boot on the terminal and ate it from the inside, i found the problem when i pulled the terminal from the wire.