[DPheonixA]

The last couple of weeks it's been starting up great and then just dying on me as soon as I put it in reverse and drive and now just recently the battery has been being drained.

I used an amp meter to find out how much is bring drained. It comes out around 4 amps. I have been trying to figure it out and came to a 14 gauge green wire connected where, the starter and interior lights wires are located, but the battery does not charge. So I am thinking it's the alternator, but I am not sure. I am trying to figure out what that wire goes to. Just yesterday I drove the car and when I tried to start it again it wouldn't turn over even with a jump. All you hear when you start the car is a click and that's it.

So what I need help with is. What is the 14 guage green wire is? What would be producing 4 amps of usage while it's off? and Is it just a dead battery or could it be something else since it won't turn over, not even once.

[Mustanq]

Your battery seems like it won't accept a charge. Check to make sure your battery terminal cables are clean and if they are rusted or have split wires, then replace them. How old is the battery? If it is 4 years or older it may need to be replaced. Have an auto parts store test it or do a slow charge yourself and test the voltage which should read 12.6 volts fully charged. Before you start thinking its the alternator (which it could be the problem) make sure the battery is fully charged and its cables aren't defective.

Other possible causes are:

1. Glove box, trunk, interior illumination lights not turning off due to defective switches.
2. Circuit short to ground.
3. Circuit copper-to-copper shorts.
4. Contaminated battery case.

Could you take some pictures of the green wire? That might help with knowing where that goes to.