2001 Buick Lesabre

ROB RISHER

MEMBER
2001 BUICK LESABRE
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
27,000 MILES

My aunts car is a buick lesabre limited grand touring package 2001, every month or so I have to give it a jump start, I have checked for lights left on, I have checked the alternator it seems to be fine, and also replaced the battery. And still every month or so the battery is dead. She is 78 years old and drives it at least every other day to the store, hair dresser, church. Now she, s talking about getting a new car, because of this problem.I told her not to this car is in mint condition with only 27000 miles on it, she could use this car for the next ten years and it still wouldn't have 70000 on it!I have been dealing with this problem for over a year. No one has givin me a good answer yet, good thing I live next door

3 Replies

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

My advice is to take it for a good ride at least once a week
or you can do a battery drain test

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Thursday, March 12th, 2009 AT 5:39 PM

ROB RISHER

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thank you for responding, I have done a couple battery load tests and the battery responded well, the reson the battery was replaced, it went dead and I wasn't home so my cousin came over and said o you need a battery and my aunt paid him to put in a new one, I have checked the old one and the new one. They passed. My aunts last car a buick lesabre limited 1994 had 32000 miles on it when she traded it in. Almost exact driving style and usage as this one, never had a problem. I have checked for lights on glove box, trunk, under hood. Looked for loose wires, bad ground, etc, alternater checks out fine, and the volt meter climbs after you start it. I think there is some model specific problem with this car. Thank you rob

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Thursday, March 12th, 2009 AT 10:43 PM

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

Newer cars have a lot more than older cars that depend on the battery to keep computer memory fresh among other things

This is BATTERY DRAIN TEST
NOTE: Amperage draw will vary from vehicle to vehicle depending on equipment package.
No production vehicle should have more than a 50 mA (0.050 amp) draw.
BATTERY DRAIN TEST
1. Ensure junction box/fuse panels are accessible without turning on interior and hood lights. Drive vehicle over 30 MPH for at least 5 minutes. Park vehicle and allow to sit with ignition off for at least 40 minutes to allow electronic modules to power down.

2. Connect a fused jumper wire between negative battery cable and negative battery post. Disconnect negative battery cable from negative battery post, without breaking the jumper wire connection to prevent modules from resetting.

NOTE: It is very important that continuity is not broken between negative battery post and negative battery cable when disconnecting battery cable or connecting ammeter. If continuity is broken, go to step 1.
3. Ensure ammeter is set to read milliamps with at least a 10 amp capability. Connect ammeter between negative battery cable and negative battery post. Remove fused jumper wire.

4. If excessive current draw is present (50 mA or more), pull fuses from battery/central junction box one at a time and note any current drop when each fuse is removed. DO NOT reinstall fuses until test is complete.

5. Check wiring diagrams for any circuits that run from battery without passing through battery/central junction box. Disconnect these circuits if current draw still exists. Repair appropriate circuits as necessary.
Good luck

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Friday, March 13th, 2009 AT 6:00 AM