Electrical Problem

S

sands

Guest
Hi

For some time now but now more frequently my 1993 Riviera decides not to start. I turn the key and I get nothing, no dash lights, no engine trying to turn over. I always have to have it jumped and it starts right up. It will start ok for a couple of weeks then decide not to start again and then has to be jumped again. I have replaced batteries with new ones, still does it. Things I do notice are a/c compressor shuts off and will not start again unless I disconnect and connect negative battery cable. The other is the Bose radio/cd player makes a high pitch noise from the speakers when I turn off the radio and exit the car.

This has been driving me nuts. Auto electrician cound not find what he thought was a short. I would hate to get rid a perfect car - body and motor - because some electrical problem is making it unreliable.

Any help please.
 
My grandfather's 91 regal was doing the same thing recently - the battery dieing for no reason every couple weeks, and a jump start would quickly bring everything back to normal.
We took it to the dealer, and they changed the battery terminals. I thought that was a pretty ridiculas fix, but the problem hasn't come back yet, and it's been a month! I'm thinking GM has a TSB on that problem, and they have updated terminals at the dealer.
Another mechanic I talked to about the problem told me to change the starter, because certain GM starters are prone to short out occasionally internally and drain the battery. Fortunatly we never got to that point on this car, but maybe thats' something to keep in mind if you change the battery terminals and that doesn't work!

Cheers,

Ben
 
Hey Sands, I have this same problem on my 93 Regal. Might go 2 or 3 weeks with no problem, then TOTAL deadness. I don't mean just won't start, I mean a completely dead battery. Quick charge then good for another few weeks. Removed the dome light fuse. "Maybe" a little better, but it still happens. Shows no drain at the battery on my fluke meter. I'm now thinking the ignition switch may be slightly worn, or slipped on the column screws just enough to allow some contacts to remain hot sometimes. That could be why this is a sometimes problem. I can't see how bad battery cables' or a starter could randomly kill a battery, then work great for a few weeks.
 
Use an analog meter between the batt and cable remove one fuse at a time & check meter.
Hood and trunk lights are mercury switchs and can stay on when you least expect it.

A starter short can only be a dead short to ground.
 
i've had alts do the same thing. stop on the right spot and they drain the battery (but a charging test shows ok). if you find a draw with a meter after pulling fuses un-plug the alt and see.
 
Sands,
Try the battery cable ends first. Take the "bolt" out of the end and thoroughly clean everything with a stainless wire brush.
What happens is the ends get corroded inside of the plastic where you cannot see it. The corrosion builds up enough resistance that the "power" cannot get through the connection to power the starter etc. The battery is not really dead, it just seems that way. When you jump start the car, you give it enough of a "jolt" to break through the corrosion and it works for a while. I have seen this problem on at least 5 vehicles, including my Wife's Riviera, and a throrough cleaning took car of it every time.
Hope this helps,
 
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