Battery - Alternator problem? 96 4WD Explorer

I bought a new battery for my 96 Explorer 4WD V6 5 days ago. I stopped to
get gas, and had to get it jump started. I went back to AutoZone, they
checked the battery and the alternator. They said both were fine. They
recleaned the terminals and it started up. I also just had the transmission
rebuilt about 3-4 weeks ago.

Today, my it wouldn't start. I had to jump start it, I drove it for about
5-6 miles afterward and then it still wouldn't start. So I had to jump start
it again. On the second drive, I noticed that if I turned on the A\C with
the blower on high, the engine would cut out for just a second, almost to
shutting off. Also the battery light would come on in the first few minutes
when I hit the brakes. After 1/2 hour drive, the engine won't even crank.
While driving I watched the voltmeter, it was OK, it bounced slightly when I
would turn on the turn signal, it's always done this. And would also drop
slightly when I rolled a window up or down, again always done this.

Did I get a bad battery? Or is it possible something else is at fault. This
only started after getting the new battery.

Thanks.

Sounds like it might be a cable problem, but don't know why jump start
would work if that is the case.

On Tue, 25 Jul 2006 22:29:25 -0400, "Wil Swaloe" >
wrote:

>I bought a new battery for my 96 Explorer 4WD V6 5 days ago. I stopped to
>get gas, and had to get it jump started. I went back to AutoZone, they
>checked the battery and the alternator. They said both were fine. They
>recleaned the terminals and it started up. I also just had the transmission
>rebuilt about 3-4 weeks ago.
>
>Today, my it wouldn't start. I had to jump start it, I drove it for about
>5-6 miles afterward and then it still wouldn't start. So I had to jump start
>it again. On the second drive, I noticed that if I turned on the A\C with
>the blower on high, the engine would cut out for just a second, almost to
>shutting off. Also the battery light would come on in the first few minutes
>when I hit the brakes. After 1/2 hour drive, the engine won't even crank.
>While driving I watched the voltmeter, it was OK, it bounced slightly when I
>would turn on the turn signal, it's always done this. And would also drop
>slightly when I rolled a window up or down, again always done this.
>
>Did I get a bad battery? Or is it possible something else is at fault. This
>only started after getting the new battery.
>
>Thanks.
>

Measure the voltage across the battery with the engine running with a
voltmeter. It should be between 13.5-15 volts. If not, its the
alternator.