Alternator / Battery Problems

[smilenpsyco]

Ok this is probably a stupid question, but i need to know anyway.
I was driving my '98 Cavalier, (2200, 5 speed manual, 130,000 miles) and the battery light came on. So I had the alternator replaced and the light went back out. On my way out the door the mechanic told me that i needed to replace the battery as well because it wasn't holding as much of a charge as it should and it would eventually burn out my new alternator as it did my old one.
so i took my battery (duralast 75 - D, about 1 year old) up to the auto zone where i bought it with my receipt (it's still under warranty). They tested the battery there and told me that it was fine and the problem lies in GM alternaters dying every 5 years. The clerk proceeded to pop the caps off the battery to check to make sure there was acid still in it and said that if there was voltage problem it would have boiled over. However when he poped the caps off it looked wet under both caps. (Is that wetness under the caps normal?) Needless to say, i've still got my old battery.
So my question is has anyone ever heard of a battery causing an alternator to burn out? If i had a voltimeter how could i test my car to see if the alternator output is being effected by the battery or if the battery is any good still or if it is toast?
Thanks for any info you may have.
james

[quake61]

Originally Posted by smilenpsyco

Ok this is probably a stupid question, but i need to know anyway.
I was driving my '98 Cavalier, (2200, 5 speed manual, 130,000 miles) and the battery light came on. So I had the alternator replaced and the light went back out. On my way out the door the mechanic told me that i needed to replace the battery as well because it wasn't holding as much of a charge as it should and it would eventually burn out my new alternator as it did my old one.
so i took my battery (duralast 75 - D, about 1 year old) up to the auto zone where i bought it with my receipt (it's still under warranty). They tested the battery there and told me that it was fine and the problem lies in GM alternaters dying every 5 years. The clerk proceeded to pop the caps off the battery to check to make sure there was acid still in it and said that if there was voltage problem it would have boiled over. However when he poped the caps off it looked wet under both caps. (Is that wetness under the caps normal?) Needless to say, i've still got my old battery.
So my question is has anyone ever heard of a battery causing an alternator to burn out? If i had a voltimeter how could i test my car to see if the alternator output is being effected by the battery or if the battery is any good still or if it is toast?
Thanks for any info you may have.
james

with car car on the battery should read about 14 volts

[smilenpsyco]

Thanks for the info. I'll check the voltage once i get my hands on a voltimeter.