i have a 72 caddy deville with a power drain when the cars off the battery drains.only runs 15 min on a charge

Question

what i meen by charge is when i take the battery out and charge it the alternator does not charge the battery at all and wont keep the car running on its own i replaced doth the alternator and the votage regulator

it also had a push start put in it from the guy i got it from

Answer 1

Do you have a cable going from the alternator to the battery?Great.Check for power drain at floor push start.Is this circuit hot at all times?Should not be.To check 4 shorts hook a test light between battery ground cable and battery post.Now pull fuses till the light goes out.That will be the bad circuit with the problem.Key should be off when doing this test.

Answer 2

The alternator is not supposed to keep the car running, it is very bad for the alternator!

You cannot "push start" any GM car with an Automatic trans unless it is a PowerGlaide with the rear Pump still installed!

The battery must be replaced, and before you do that, take a voltmeter and measure the battery`s voltage. we will call that number "X"

Put the battery into the car put the cables on, take a Voltage reading. we will call that "Y"

Start the car, let it run for 2 minutes, take a voltage reading, we will call that "Z".


If "Y" is lower than "X" there is a drain, be sure there are NO lights on, interior or underhood!

If "Z" is at least a volt higher than "X" then is IS charging just fine. If no change or lower, Bad Alternator!

Answer 3

Try a different or new battery to see if you still have the same problem. If you have bad cells they will not hold charges very long. Also if you have an electrical short or bad starter switch your battery will continue to drain. If you have another vehicle that you can "borrow" the battery from, it will be helpful if it is the same group, size, or amp range.

Answer 4

this question needs a little more detail but i would look at the charging system. make sure its working properly and then chase down the battery drain. when you say only runs for 15 minutes on a charge that needs a little more detail. the car only runs for 15 minutes or ???

Answer 5

try cleaning the battery connections