My wife has a 1989 4 cyl mustang with a/c. It was having problems starting, yet would run fine (momentarily) when starter fluid was used.

I replaced the fuel filter, and the car ran for one day. Then the battery was dead. I replaced the battery. Again, one day of running, and it appeared the battery was low. THinking the battery cables might be bad and grounding out, I replaced both the pos and neg wires. Now it runs, but only if you do not turn on lights, fan or anything else. Turning on the a/c or even the vent and fan causes the volts to drop almost into the red on the dash gauge.

Also, the a/c clicks on (the compressor) then off, then on, then off. Cycle is on about 30 seconds, then off for a coupe of minutes, then repeat.

I replaced the alternator a few years ago, and when running the car seems to be generating the right amount of juice.

Do I have multiple problems here (like low on a/c coolant) or coud they be tied together? And how long does it take for the battery to get back to "full" levels off the alternator after driving around? A day or two?

 

First of all, the alternator does not charge the battery. It only maintains the charge. Some of the older generators would actually charge the battery. Odds are you have an alternator problem.