1988 buick regal starting problem

[Scott4545]

I have a 1988 buick regal and if i don't start it every other day the car is dead,it won't do nothing. I have put three new batterys in it. I took out the lights from under the hood and trunk,just to make sure that they were not staying on. I took the car to a local shop and they said that they can't find nothing wrong with the car. I know something is killing the battery, but i don't know where to start to looking. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott

[91RegalOwner]

Originally Posted by Scott4545

I have a 1988 buick regal and if i don't start it every other day the car is dead,it won't do nothing. I have put three new batterys in it. I took out the lights from under the hood and trunk,just to make sure that they were not staying on. I took the car to a local shop and they said that they can't find nothing wrong with the car. I know something is killing the battery, but i don't know where to start to looking. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Scott

I had a similar problem with my 91 buick regal 3.8L. I changed the ignition switch and presto... problem does not happen anymore... problem is, the ignition switch still worked previous to my replacing it... so i wouldn't know if the ignition switch was actually at fault... but i haven't had a dead battery in a few months now...

Second thing you might want to try is getting a battery disconnect.. around 50 bones online... if the voltage drops below 12v the disconnect unit disconnects the battery so you will always have enough voltage to start the car..

hope this helps.

[Scott4545]

Originally Posted by 91RegalOwner

I had a similar problem with my 91 buick regal 3.8L. I changed the ignition switch and presto... problem does not happen anymore... problem is, the ignition switch still worked previous to my replacing it... so i wouldn't know if the ignition switch was actually at fault... but i haven't had a dead battery in a few months now...

Second thing you might want to try is getting a battery disconnect.. around 50 bones online... if the voltage drops below 12v the disconnect unit disconnects the battery so you will always have enough voltage to start the car..

hope this helps.

Ok,thanks I'am willing to try anything.

[HotZ28]

It is very simple to track down a battery drain problem; you first need to see the drain. Your tool could be either a volt meter or you can construct a light bulb with two leads so that it will glow when there's electricity flowing.

Procedure:
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery.
2. Wire the two leads of either the voltmeter or light bulb tool between the disconnected battery cable and the negative battery post. You should see the battery drain at this time on the voltmeter (or see the light bulb tool lit).
3. Pull the fuses in the car one at a time, and observe if the battery drain stops. When the drain stops, you've found the problem circuit and need to investigate why.
4. If you've pulled all the fuses and saw no change, the problem circuit may be one with no fuse in it like the alternator or starter circuit. You would need to disconnect them manually to test.

[Scott4545]

Originally Posted by HotZ28

It is very simple to track down a battery drain problem; you first need to see the drain. Your tool could be either a volt meter or you can construct a light bulb with two leads so that it will glow when there's electricity flowing.

Procedure:
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery.
2. Wire the two leads of either the voltmeter or light bulb tool between the disconnected battery cable and the negative battery post. You should see the battery drain at this time on the voltmeter (or see the light bulb tool lit).
3. Pull the fuses in the car one at a time, and observe if the battery drain stops. When the drain stops, you've found the problem circuit and need to investigate why.
4. If you've pulled all the fuses and saw no change, the problem circuit may be one with no fuse in it like the alternator or starter circuit. You would need to disconnect them manually to test.

This sounds real simple and a cool trick. My next day I have off from work is sunday, I will try this then and see what i come up with.
Thanks For the reply.