Battery Drainage

zeranguer · #1 November 5th, 2009, 10:18 AM

I have a 2006 Buick Lucerne with 72,000 miles on it. Has any one else had the problem of battery drainage? Pulled the alternator and had it checked, diodes and all and it test's good.
Put brand new battery and it last about 4 days. Had another new battery installed with the same results. If any of you have gone through this problem and found a cure please let me know. Thanks

billcarson · #2 November 5th, 2009, 12:31 PM

you must connect an ammeter in series witth the disconnected battery cable,(with the engine off )to determine if you have a high "at rest" current draw.the cars computer takes a few minuntes to unload and then it should be around a quater amp or less.there will always be some draw.

Straight 8 · #3 November 6th, 2009, 03:39 PM

I agree with Bill. Oftentimes it can be a stuck relay which keeps power going to an accessory that should be off. Using an ammeter and pulling relays can help you find it. The amperage should drop when the relay is pulled.

zeranguer · #4 November 8th, 2009, 06:53 AM

Thank's for the quick replys. What setting should I put the ammeter on to test for drainage? Also have any of you had problems with the cruise control some time working and some time not?

billcarson · #5 November 8th, 2009, 01:15 PM

the closest setting to less than 1 amp. this will give you a more accurate reading in milli amps.i have never had a cruise issue.sorry no help there. good luck.

Straight 8 · #6 November 8th, 2009, 07:48 PM

I have seen a touchy brake switch cause the cruise to drop out, but there are any number of possibilities. What is happening?

zeranguer · #7 November 21st, 2009, 02:30 PM

Still fighting with the battery drainage. Brought it into the Buick Dealer in Opelousas, Louisiana and was given the normal run around. Service Manager said he can put a mechanic on it for $87 an hour.
On my problem with the cruise control seldom working, I read in the service manuel that slip of tire while in traction control can cause the cruise to kick off. So while I was tapping the set button on the cruise that would not come on I took the traction control off and surprise suprise the cruise works great.

Straight 8 · #8 November 24th, 2009, 08:19 AM

That makes sense. Hooking up a code reader would hopefully show which sensor is giving a wrong reading. I had trouble with a wheel sensor on an Envoy. at low speed it would read different than the others and the abs would kick in. I fixed it myself but the diagnostics cost me $100. It never gave me an error, he just monitored the wheel sensors as we stopped.

RevMac777 · #9 November 24th, 2009, 02:04 PM

It could be a faulty relay switch that is near impossible to diagnosise. Find a mechanich that specializes in electrical repairs. They will have books about your car and history of common problems. My daughters fuel pump relay swith would keep the fuel pump running and run down the battery. GM garages could't find the problem but a local mechanic with his books hunted it down and fixed it for $40. Good luck!

zeranguer · #10 November 24th, 2009, 07:43 PM

Brought it into Roy Motors Chevrolet today. Alternator and battery tested good. Mechanic put test set on and pulled every fuse under hood and under rear seat, but could find nothing that showed bad.
He reprogramed into the computer every update that Buick had posted for my car. Worked over 4 hrs. trouble shooting and service manager said because they were not able to find the problem he only charged me for 1 hr. at a total cost of $77.32 All he asked was for me to let him know if any of the reprograming happens to have fixed the problem.
I pray that it is fixed. I will let you know if it works.