BroncoII4x4.com

Well, yesterday I replaced the turn signal/brights switch in the steering column, and I had to cut out the brown plastic connector along with an inch of the wire going into it because something shorted out and burned it a little. Well, the next morning my battery was completely dead, and on the 20 mile drive to work I tried starting it but no success (on the highway in case if it didn't start, I could bump start it). So I took it to walmart and got a new battery and had the old one tested, they said it had a bad cell, so I put the new one in, and everything was just fine, so this morning, I go out to the truck and no battery again. Could it have been something I did in the wiring? I haven't had the battery tested yet. I made sure I matched up all the wires correctly when I spliced them (at least I thought). Any help is appreciated. BTW its an 88 XLT.

One more thing, when I was driving on the highway today (20 mile trip) the battery didn't charge back up (new battery). Could it be my alternator?

I would run to autozone and have them check it...

Yep the best thing is to visit your local auto parts store and have the charging system tested. It should be free. You may have lost the voltage regulator. Also make sure all the wires are hooked up to the alternator. I've had one wire pop off a couple times on me.