Jumped but goes dead right away

MICHAEL LUNDGREN

MEMBER
1995 BUICK PARK AVENUE
158,000 MILES

I have a 95 buick park ave.

Before I put the new battery in and changed the alternator it would start when jumped but go dead right away so thats when I changed the battery and alternator?

Monday, May 7th, 2012 AT 8:23 PM

6 Replies

PROMECHANIC

MECHANIC
536 POSTS

You can check this out yourself with a voltmeter. First check the battery voltage with the car off. It should be around 12.6 volts. After that get the car started and check the voltage again. It should be around 13.5-14.5 volts. If it is not then the alt. Is probably bad.
If these are fine and the battery is just dead in the morning then you probably have a drain on the battery. Check for lights on, etc.
Also, you should check the battery cable connections to be sure they are clean and tight.

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Monday, May 7th, 2012 AT 8:27 PM

MICHAEL LUNDGREN

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3 POSTS

Any idea what would drain the battery if the alternatoe and battery were good

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Monday, May 7th, 2012 AT 8:31 PM

PROMECHANIC

MECHANIC
536 POSTS

Lights on. Inside or outside the vehicle. A short in the wiring somewhere. If you want to test this then just take the battery cables off when you park it for the night then put them back on in the morning and see if it starts.

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Monday, May 7th, 2012 AT 8:34 PM

DJCL

MECHANIC
767 POSTS

F you have an amp meeter hook it up in line with the neg battery cable let it sit for 20 min and check the draw. Over 50 m amps is out of speck.

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Monday, May 7th, 2012 AT 8:47 PM

MICHAEL LUNDGREN

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I found out why the battery went dead last time I used the car and parked it when I turned car off head lights came on even though the switch said they were off but when I shut car off head lights went off but they were still drawing power because when I went to jump it when it was turning over the lights came on and stayed on and when I tried turning them off with the switches they stayed on along with dash board lights so I took it for a drive to charge battery up and when I got back I went to put in park the lights went off and now they go on and off when I turn the switches on and off can you tell me what that could be somebody said maybe it could be a relay switch is that possible thanks mike