I have a 89 olds. 98 and it keeps draining batteries...I dont know what to do about it. It even locks when you put it in drive and now when I put it in drive it locks and when I put it in park it should unlock but it doesnt. Both the driver door and the front passenger door wont open. Does anybody know what it could possibly be? My mechanic cannot even figure it out!
2007-07-09 10:27:22 · 6 answers · asked by manda 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Lets start with the draining batteries issue. You know the car has a charging system problem when its draining batteries, the question is why.
Either the Alternator is not charging the battery properly, (replace the alternator), or you have a circuit that is staying live when you turn off the key. This is called a "parasitic draw."
This can be linked to a bad ground, or a short in the system. They are also very difficult to track down and can be spread over several systems.
However, stating that the power locks are malfunctioning, I would start my search with that circuit first.
You probably have a lock soleniod that is staying energized due to a short. If this is the case, you are going to need to figure out which solenoid is the offender and replace it.
My suggestion is to run the car down to a Buick or Pontiac Dealership had have them take a look at it. Since Oldsmobile no longer exists, and GM has discontinued that car line, I think its one of two of those that is handling the Oldsmobile Car Line now.
If anyone can find it, they can.
I hope that helps you out.
2007-07-09 10:38:28 · answer #1 · answered by Teknoman Saber 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Has your mechanic checked the power entering the battery when the engine is running? On a 12volt system there should be about 14 volts going into the battery from the alternator.
Without that, your batteries will very soon drain, especially on a car with so many electrical needs.
If he hasn't, and that's what the problem is, he aint no mechanic I would trust!!!
2007-07-09 17:38:24 · answer #2 · answered by Paul H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Relay in the locking mechanism, keeps trying to open the locks but does not, keeping power to it thus draining the battery.
2007-07-09 17:36:00 · answer #3 · answered by Pengy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like an electrical short circuit -- most likely in the wiring to the door lock controls. It's a hard thing to trace, but someone needs to trace all the wiring in these circuits and find out where it's damaged or broken.
2007-07-09 17:33:20 · answer #4 · answered by Sprinter 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Draining batteries? Could be a bad ignition switch or a diode in the alternator gone bad.
2007-07-09 17:34:28 · answer #5 · answered by mad_mav70 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my mother had one of those cars. the mechanics finally found the short. some how the tail light grounds. that was what was draining her battery. hope that helps
2007-07-09 18:14:19 · answer #6 · answered by volleyball55morrow 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋