Hello everyone. I'm looking for some help. I fell into a good, running 79 Datsun about 18 months ago. Since then no trouble.....then I left my lights on!! I had to get a jump. After the jump the aftermarket radio that had never worked turned on. When I drove home it DIED:( Small burning smell. Got a new battery took it the local auto part store. They said I needed a new alternator. Here's the best part. No one could help me tell if I own a 1.4 or a 1.5. They did however say that it didn't matter because the bigger alternator was only rated at 60 amps instead of 50. I was told it wouldn't hurt anything. I used all my car smarts and changed the alternator. Now it runs, but if I leave it too long without running the battery dies. The parking brake light also randomly turns on. It turns off when I press on the brake pedal. The battery light also occasionally flickers. I would have it fixed, but $$ is a little tight.
I guess my main questions are:
1) How do I know what engine I have? The metal plate is rusted over. All I can read is what looks to be an A14
2) Are they right about the alternator being ok? At one point one of the employees asked me if I reset the computer. I am not the smartest car guy around, but COME ON!!!!
3) Are there any ways (for a novice mechanic) to find what's draining the battery
I tried to post a couple pictures, but my computer skills are as equally poor as my mechanic skills.
Thanks