Problem with old Buick?

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Mike M

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Yesterday, my 1994 Buick Regal had no power except for a faint glow of light coming from the hood after I lifted it up. I figured the problem might have been the alternator, since I have a brand new battery, and no one seemed to doubt that when I asked about the possibility on these forums. I called up AAA, and the driver said that the likely problem was a loose negative terminal on the battery that he simply tightened for me. He checked the alternator, and said that it was fine and putting out 14 volts. After he jump started the car, I drove 3 miles to Autozone and was able to start the car twice (once to test it, once more to drive to the front so the shop could measure the voltage of the battery.

The machine said the charge was very low, but couldn't determine if the battery was good or bad. I needed another jump start, then drove for 10 miles this time, came back, and the machine now read that the battery was good but had a slightly low charge. If the negative terminal was loose, is it even possible that the battery would fully discharge? When the guy from AAA put a clamp on the alternator, did the 14 volts he read indicate that it was functioning properly, or like my friend said, only indicate that the battery has a possible maximum charge of 14 volts? I don't want to go through batteries every 3 weeks if there's an underlying problem. I just changed the battery last month after the one that came with the used car died on me. At the time though, I thought that the low quality battery simply couldn't handle the cold Philly weather coupled with the fact that I hadn't driven it for 8 days.
 
From what you describe, you should be fine now, but need to drive the car more to charge the battery every few days. A 14 volt charging voltage is good and what you'd expect from a good alternator. Watch for any red lamps lighting on your dash though or the voltmeter readings if you have one. When your idling in traffic a long time with all the electricals on, the battery won't be charging or charging enough, so winter cold weather cranking coupled with headlights, wipers, defroster elements and the like are going to need good highway driving for 20 minutes to recharge the battery. You might invest in the Sears trickle charger below if you've got someplace to run an AC extension cord to it. You can plug it in the cigarette lighter socket as one option. Run an extension cord up under the engine and through the firewall to the inside of the car.

http://www.ehow.com/how_512_replace-car-battery.html
 
I understand you have a new battery installed. And from what I can sermize is a short some whare. Check cables for corosen a green tint on the copper wire porstion with powdery white like around termanals.
If this is the case on one cable replace it. But if there's just the whiteish stuff on and around the terminal get na terminal cleaning tool and remove the terminal from battery post and clean as bright as possiable (thats the post and the terminal) put back all claen and then use Coca Cola wash. YES, COCA COLA. This gets rid of oxydation caused by battery acid. You still have the problem you have a short either in alternater or starter; or maybe only one cell in the battery isn't 100%.
 
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