1997 Cadillac El Dorado SOMETHING IS DRAINING THE BATTERY

1997 CADILLAC ELDORADO
140,000 MILES • V8 • FWD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
BILLY JAY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I HAVE A NEW BATTERY NEW ALTERNATOR SOMETHING HAS CAUSED MY POWER WINDOWS SUNROOF NOT TO WORK ALSO WHEN TURNING OF ENGINE SOMETHING IS DRAINING THE BATTERY QUICK LESSED THAN 5 MIN . PUT WILL START RIGHT UP WITH A JUMP BATTERY STAYS CHARGERED PUT WINDOWS ETC WON'T WORK
Nov 9, 2010 at 10:14 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
FACTORYJACK
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 4,159 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
For it to discharge the battery in 5 minutes, it is a large draw. I would look for something obvious for starters. Something like a stuck seat switch, or faulty alternator. Was the drain present before the alternator was replaced? You could almost crank an engine off and on for 5 minutes and not fully discharge a good battery. Something of that size, you would almost not want to connect an ammeter in series, as it would blow the meter fuses. You might be able to connect a test light in series, and pull fuses looking for the change. Upon looking at the schematic, the windows circuit breaker in the LH underhood fuse block, powers both the windows, and the sunroof. Check this circuit breaker. If it is warm, it may be tripping due to a short in the circuit, or a stuck item like a switch.
Nov 9, 2010 at 11:31 PM
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.
Ask a Free Question
Repair Safety Notice: This information is for general instructional purposes only. Vehicle repair can be dangerous. Verify all information, follow manufacturer service procedures, use proper tools and safety equipment, and consult a qualified repair shop when needed.