Hello,

My father just bought a used 1994 Mazda 626 and it keeps dying. The battery is drained after every trip. It will cut off while driving and need a jump to restart. The battery is good and he had the mechanic replace his alternator but it still happens so we don't know what else could be causing this problem. If you disconnect the battery the car cuts off. The alternator is good, but the car is running purely on the battery as though the alternator isn't there. What else coould cause this?

 

Could be that the insulation on one of the main wires might be worn through such that there's a short in the system. I'd also question how the alternator is hooked up if it's not keeping the car going nor is it charging the battery.

I also once had a friend have his alternator replaced but the replacement alternator was bad. You could have it checked. You may have to pull it do do this but ask a shop if it can be tested in the car.

Good luck.