Battery draining

[misfitregal]

Ive got a 1986 Buick regal limited with the original 307 in it and no after market accessories that i know of besides a radio. now the problem is that my battery keeps draining and will not start the car after sitting for short periods of time i have swapped the battery out with a different one and the same thing keeps happening. I'm not sure where or how to start looking for the electric problem I'm having

 

[eddieb1969]

Easiest old school way is to use a multi-meter to check for current draw . If you have one that has amp settings , you disconnect a battery cable , and connect the meter inline between the battery and the cable . Sit the meter where you can see it , if possible . And start pulling fuses one at a time . When you see a signifigant drop in the amp draw , you have found the circuit that has a short . That will at least put you in the right direction toward finding it , bear in mind that will/might power several things though. Also , the alternator can have a short in the " trio " and can draw power . It could be something as silly as a speaker wire rubbed bare or just touching . I have found things before that have made me scratch my head thinking how minute it seemed , but drained a battery quite fast . Hope this helps , or at least gives you some ideas.... A circuit testor light can be used as well if you dont have a meter , but its a bit harder to trace it down , and not as accurate .

 

[BILL DEMMER]

make sure that your alternator is charging properly. using a meter set to volts dc, engine running, the meter should read in the range of 13.8-14.5 volts across the battery. the voltage will be nearer to the lower end of this range is the alternator is hot, when cold it should be nearer to the upper end. to load test the alternator, start the car, turn on all of the accessories and watch the meter as you raise the engine speed to about 2500-3000 rpm. the voltage should rise into the aforementioned range.


bill

 

[JESSE]

battery drain

when trying to diagnose this problem you have to start at the beginning you have got to eliminate the battery you have to load test the battery to make sure it's ok! next you have to check the charging system to make sure it's ok! if both the battery and alt,are working you can start your diagnosis.what your looking for is some thing drawing voltage when your system is shut off some of the places that i have found drains is clove box light under hood light trunk light,eddie1969 is right about how to find which circuit is causing the drain by pulling fuses one at the time ,if you have a under hood light make sure you disconnect it ,and close the door every time you pull a fuse. you can check the alt for a drain by disconnecting the wires to it,i hope this helps you ps some things never shut off such as your ecm ,radio memory.and if you don't have a meter or test light ,you can use the shade tree method. disconnect the ground cable and touch the cable to the battery if you get a big spark you have a problem ,if you have small spark your normal :? jesse

 

[misfitregal]

ive found a slight drain in my cigarette lighter circuit but im unable to pinpoint which accessory hooked to it is causing the problem but the fuse was blown so its not the drain i was looking for

 

[srercrcr]

A $4 test light works as well as a meter, I like it better. With the engine off you shouldn't see any glow (except perhaps a faint glow from something like a clock). You can pull one fuse at a time til glow goes away....bingo!
If none of that finds it, remove one end of the wire going from the positive battery post to the alternator. Connect the test light between the wire end and the alternator. With engine off you should have no glow. If you do, replace the alternator.