1995 Oldsmobile Silhouette short

1995 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE
89,000 MILES • 3.8L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
IANP4
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
the van was running then it would not start had a jump start and it ran with the abs light on, after that it would not start with a jump, I checked and found a dead short across the battery disconnected battery and short is still there, battery is new, where do I start. hope it is not under van as I am 70 years old and broke, thanks
ian
Feb 25, 2014 at 11:52 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
JDL
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 16,098 POSTS
If you have a battery drain with key off, usually you check amp draw, around 50 milliamps, that is .050 not even a tenth of an amp.

Try disconnecting the alternator, see if drain goes away? If that doesn't help, try pulling/replacing fuses one at a time. When you pull the fuse on the problem circuit, the excess drain goes away. Then you check everything on that fuse circuit.

Also, check for any lites that have been left on, interior--under the hood--everywhere. Best time to check lites is in the dark.

There will be some systems that will draw a little, even with the key off. Make sure your charging system works ok? Have the battery charged up, the alternator wasn't made to charge a dead battery.
Feb 25, 2014 at 12:18 PM
Avatar
IANP4
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
tried to jump again but jumper cables started to melt, thanks
Feb 25, 2014 at 12:56 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
JDL
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 16,098 POSTS
Let us know what you find?
Feb 25, 2014 at 12:59 PM