How do install a new battery? - Cars & Trucks

Had variable timing solenoid installed - Don't think that has anything to do with the battery draining . You have a parasitic draw on the battery . Do you know how to test automotive electrical circuit's ? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YE6v4ryk24g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRcj1fQcWwU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irkWeLhl078

Your best bet , take it to a qualified repair shop.

you didnt check for a fusable link on the wire to the altInater??

Measure the voltage in the new battery. It should read close to 12Volts. Some batteries need to be charged before they are sold. Perhaps yours didn't. Have you tried to charge it yourself?

Yes and that was due to bad installation. I have had 3 car stereos installed on my 98 RAV4 through Best Buy and never had battery problems. I even had 2 amps installed as well but the installers had to make me buy this 200-dollar thing that would not drain the battery.

If you are getting a drain through the radio's power supply it could eventually drain down the battery if it was improperly installed, I would pull the fuse for the radio and see if the drain continues, if the drain does not stop there is another short somewhere. To learn more :

http://www.xcardiag.com/wholesale/automotive-battery-analyser-vat-560-tool-536.html

You didn't mention how far if any you drove since installing battery. First jump start, put voltmeter in battery while idling - should read 13.1v-15.8v. Anything less, replace alternator. If good, load test new battery.

Your alternator died. You drove until your battery died also. You need a new alternator and a new battery. You might be able to get away with just charging your battery. Do Not jump start the vehicle and let the new alternator try to charge the old battery! Take the battery to a service station for testing and a charge. Install the new alternator and then install the charged battery not vice versa and you'll be fine.

Remove Negative terminal first, then positive terminal. Battery will have some type of tie down or block at base with a bolt you will have to remove. Remember how it goes back together. Remove battery.
Install new battery and tie down or block. Install Positive terminal then Negative terminal.
Remember to never touch both Positive and negative terminals with a metal object (ie..ratchet, wrench etc) this can cause injury and/or permanent damage to a new battery.

1.You need to install a Fully charged battery, before you install a new alternator. Otherwise it will burn the alternator up.

2.I read what you typed about installing a new battery. Was the new battery fully charged, and was it installed before the new alternator?
No?
See number 1 above.

did you unhook the battery prior to installing the alternator

First disconnect, NEGATIVE cable, than the positive cable. Than remove the bolt or strap that is securing battery. Then when you install new battery, Connect POSITIVE FIRST, then negative battery.
Make sure battery is charged before installing in vehicle. It will save lots of tear on altenator.