Why does my car battery keep dying?

Tiny
94_DEVILLE
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 CADILLAC DEVILLE
  • 4.9L
  • V8
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 103,000 MILES
I have replaced the cars battery and alternator. They were both bad and I could only start my car off a good jump. However, even after replacing these parts my car still does not have any electrical power. Why could this be?
Tuesday, March 21st, 2017 AT 11:31 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check your fuses if your battery has voltage if not and battery is rung down then you need to do a parasitic draw on it. see link on how to do it.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight
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Tuesday, March 21st, 2017 AT 12:27 PM
Tiny
94_DEVILLE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
The battery does have some voltage. As to how much, I am not sure. I do not have a multi meter or anything of the sorts. On the note of parasitic draw, is it possible that my speakers are the problem? I took the 6.5s from my Monte Carlo SS and installed them into the front doors of my Cadillac. They are both GM and have the same plugs so I assumed it would not do any harm.
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Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017 AT 11:05 AM
Tiny
94_DEVILLE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Also, is it possible that I have a bad ground or diode? A bad diode in the alternator would explain the draining. I installed the alternator two days before I found out the battery was no good. Its to my understanding that a bad battery can cause your alternator to go bad through over work/under work. Is there any additional wiring I should check?
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Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017 AT 11:07 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
You have to do a draw test to see what area is causing the problem. Most radios will have some draw due to memory system in them
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Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017 AT 11:59 AM
Tiny
94_DEVILLE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
How would I go about doing that?
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Thursday, March 23rd, 2017 AT 6:36 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
You need a test light or voltmeter I already sent instructions on first reply re read it
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Thursday, March 23rd, 2017 AT 7:13 AM
Tiny
94_DEVILLE
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
If this is not the problem what else could I be looking for?
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Thursday, March 23rd, 2017 AT 10:55 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
A bad battery if no draw on it
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Thursday, March 23rd, 2017 AT 12:00 PM

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