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Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help!  Electrical Problem EmptySun Mar 24, 2024 3:51 pm by Teramotos

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Krystoff
Ross
Teramotos
7 posters

    Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help! Electrical Problem

    Teramotos
    Teramotos


    Number of posts : 4844
    Registration date : 2008-12-01
    Age : 60
    Location : Seattle

    Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help!  Electrical Problem Empty Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help! Electrical Problem

    Post by Teramotos Sat Oct 09, 2010 2:36 pm

    Okay, any of you have any ideas on what's wrong?

    Brad's car won't start. Got the oil changed and he was able to start the car up at the oil change place and drive home. On the way home, he did note his automatic headlights didn't come on and he had to turn them on manually. He suspects the workers at the oil change place may have changed something that affected his automatic headlights. The next day when he attempted to start his car, nothing happens at all. There's no clicking noise, no attempt by the starter engine to turn over, nothing.

    The battery seems very small for a car its size. It looks to be about half the size of the battery in my truck. I tried a jump start, but no go - still no sounds or anything. None of the accessories in the Buick work, at all, there appears to be no electrical power at all. Brad's battery does not have an indicator (green good, black bad) hat I can see. I checked the positive power (+) terminal from the battery to the car and it seemed to be in order, cables and connectors not worn and tight with a good connection.

    Anyone know a mobile mechanic that works on Saturdays?


    _________________
    Weslocke "What do you wish to know?"

    Sonya Morecut (Human Warlord) - SG1
    Whey Baker (Human Fighter) - SG1
    Archemedies - (Githyanki Artificer) - Slave Ship
    Alysa Redfield (Human Archer Warlord) - Dark Nights Rising
    Ross
    Ross
    Admin


    Number of posts : 3864
    Registration date : 2008-11-26
    Age : 56
    Location : Seattle

    Character sheet
    Campaign: 4e-Against the Giants
    Character Name: Kazoo Noisemaker
    Player Name: Ross

    Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help!  Electrical Problem Empty Re: Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help! Electrical Problem

    Post by Ross Sat Oct 09, 2010 2:45 pm

    You can probably bring the battery in to Schucks or something and they can check it.


    _________________
    CHARACTERS:

    Silk - Human/Hexblade [4e-Dark Nights Rising Campaign]
    Kazoo - Halfling(Kender)/Hybrid(Rogue/Druid) [4e-Against the Giants]
    Morbius Von Kas - Vryloka/Blackguard [4e-Rainbow Warriors Campaign]
    Man'Tis Man'Todea - Thri-Kreen/Berserker [4e-Slave Lords Campaign]
    Nathan Grey - Ardent (4e-Terran One Campaign)
    Walt Dixon - Bladesinger (4e-Terran One Campaign)
    Shandral Aurlong - Human/Sorcerer [5e-Horde of the Dragon Queen Campaign]
    Danilo Rand - Monk/Human [5e-Princes of the Apocalypse Campaign]
    Battlefield Soldier: Saturnicus
    Diablo III Battletag: Saturnus#1572
    Neverwinter: @bobpatrick.com
    XBox GamerTag: Drizityn


    Kazoo the Kender: "Hmm, I'll take....the Wand of Wonder." The rest of the party regretted giving Kazoo the first treasure pick.
    Krystoff
    Krystoff


    Number of posts : 1675
    Registration date : 2008-12-02
    Age : 47

    Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help!  Electrical Problem Empty Re: Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help! Electrical Problem

    Post by Krystoff Sat Oct 09, 2010 2:51 pm

    Having dealt with something similar you can do a few things to narrow it down.

    If you can check the battery for juice and it has it then it is not the alternator or the battery. Like Ross said you can probably call shucks and see if they would do that. Also, if you turn on the key to the first or second position (non started positions) and the lights come on the the battery probably isn't dead.

    If it isn't the battery then it most likely is the starter. When a car doesn't turn over at all it's because the solenoid is worn out or not working properly.

    I don't know any mechanics, I either use the dealership or whoever is closest.

    Chris

    Ross
    Ross
    Admin


    Number of posts : 3864
    Registration date : 2008-11-26
    Age : 56
    Location : Seattle

    Character sheet
    Campaign: 4e-Against the Giants
    Character Name: Kazoo Noisemaker
    Player Name: Ross

    Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help!  Electrical Problem Empty Re: Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help! Electrical Problem

    Post by Ross Sat Oct 09, 2010 2:55 pm

    If none of the accessories work it's most likely dead battery. You could always take an existing battery and try hooking it up and see if the car will start or if some of the electrical items come one. If they do, go buy a new battery.


    _________________
    CHARACTERS:

    Silk - Human/Hexblade [4e-Dark Nights Rising Campaign]
    Kazoo - Halfling(Kender)/Hybrid(Rogue/Druid) [4e-Against the Giants]
    Morbius Von Kas - Vryloka/Blackguard [4e-Rainbow Warriors Campaign]
    Man'Tis Man'Todea - Thri-Kreen/Berserker [4e-Slave Lords Campaign]
    Nathan Grey - Ardent (4e-Terran One Campaign)
    Walt Dixon - Bladesinger (4e-Terran One Campaign)
    Shandral Aurlong - Human/Sorcerer [5e-Horde of the Dragon Queen Campaign]
    Danilo Rand - Monk/Human [5e-Princes of the Apocalypse Campaign]
    Battlefield Soldier: Saturnicus
    Diablo III Battletag: Saturnus#1572
    Neverwinter: @bobpatrick.com
    XBox GamerTag: Drizityn


    Kazoo the Kender: "Hmm, I'll take....the Wand of Wonder." The rest of the party regretted giving Kazoo the first treasure pick.
    Teramotos
    Teramotos


    Number of posts : 4844
    Registration date : 2008-12-01
    Age : 60
    Location : Seattle

    Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help!  Electrical Problem Empty Re: Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help! Electrical Problem

    Post by Teramotos Sat Oct 09, 2010 3:22 pm

    Tried hooking up my (really powerful) truck battery to the power terminals on the Buick and with my truck running, I rev'ed the engine on the Jeep and still no accessories turned on at all. I think the battery may be good, but there's an interruption in the actual power system between the battery and the rest of the car.

    I saw no signs of corrosion on Brad's battery and it did appear to be in reasonable (very good) shape.


    _________________
    Weslocke "What do you wish to know?"

    Sonya Morecut (Human Warlord) - SG1
    Whey Baker (Human Fighter) - SG1
    Archemedies - (Githyanki Artificer) - Slave Ship
    Alysa Redfield (Human Archer Warlord) - Dark Nights Rising
    avatar
    Kenji


    Number of posts : 3459
    Registration date : 2008-12-02

    Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help!  Electrical Problem Empty Re: Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help! Electrical Problem

    Post by Kenji Sat Oct 09, 2010 5:09 pm

    I called AAA and they're cheap enough for a year's membership, charging an extra $20 for a pre-existing condition, so Monday they'll tow it to a mechanic.
    Trevor
    Trevor


    Number of posts : 297
    Registration date : 2008-12-01
    Age : 40
    Location : Bremerton, WA

    Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help!  Electrical Problem Empty Re: Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help! Electrical Problem

    Post by Trevor Sun Oct 10, 2010 12:21 am

    Yeah, sounds like a power cable came loose somewhere. Judging by the extent of the affects it must either be close to the positive terminal of the battery, or close to the negative ground. On most cars the negative terminal grounds to the car's frame, and then any other electrical connection also grounds to the car's frame to complete its circuit. If it's not the positive cable you should check the main ground.
    Teramotos
    Teramotos


    Number of posts : 4844
    Registration date : 2008-12-01
    Age : 60
    Location : Seattle

    Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help!  Electrical Problem Empty Re: Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help! Electrical Problem

    Post by Teramotos Sun Oct 10, 2010 2:22 pm

    Oh man, this is stupid!! The reason why getting a jump from my truck didn't work is because that rectangular plastic box in the front passenger corner under Brad's hood with wires coming out of it is NOT THE BATTERY. It's the fuse terminal and AC electronics. Hey, it has a positive (red) power in cable and a ground, what was I suppose to think!? Anyway, the battery is located under the passenger side back seat. You have to pull up the back seat, locate the battery compartment and then you can hook your cables up and try a jump start; which is what Brad's cousin successfully did. Who puts the battery under the back seat?? Shocked


    _________________
    Weslocke "What do you wish to know?"

    Sonya Morecut (Human Warlord) - SG1
    Whey Baker (Human Fighter) - SG1
    Archemedies - (Githyanki Artificer) - Slave Ship
    Alysa Redfield (Human Archer Warlord) - Dark Nights Rising
    Trevor
    Trevor


    Number of posts : 297
    Registration date : 2008-12-01
    Age : 40
    Location : Bremerton, WA

    Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help!  Electrical Problem Empty Re: Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help! Electrical Problem

    Post by Trevor Sun Oct 10, 2010 4:39 pm

    Wow, that is a really bad design. Good thing you didn't damage any electronics by zapping the wrong box.
    avatar
    Kenji


    Number of posts : 3459
    Registration date : 2008-12-02

    Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help!  Electrical Problem Empty Re: Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help! Electrical Problem

    Post by Kenji Sun Oct 10, 2010 11:09 pm

    Yeah, really weird design, and yeah, good that everything seems to be working fine now.
    Mick
    Mick


    Number of posts : 1671
    Registration date : 2008-12-03

    Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help!  Electrical Problem Empty Re: Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help! Electrical Problem

    Post by Mick Mon Oct 11, 2010 8:16 am

    So was it a bad battery?
    How did you check the battery terminals as I suggested if you didn't know were the battery was?
    Teramotos
    Teramotos


    Number of posts : 4844
    Registration date : 2008-12-01
    Age : 60
    Location : Seattle

    Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help!  Electrical Problem Empty Re: Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help! Electrical Problem

    Post by Teramotos Mon Oct 11, 2010 8:52 am

    I checked the terminals on the retangular plastic box that I thought was the battery. It had a power cable in and it had what was clearly a ground wire going out. How was I suppose to know that it was really the fuse box/ AC electronics?


    _________________
    Weslocke "What do you wish to know?"

    Sonya Morecut (Human Warlord) - SG1
    Whey Baker (Human Fighter) - SG1
    Archemedies - (Githyanki Artificer) - Slave Ship
    Alysa Redfield (Human Archer Warlord) - Dark Nights Rising
    Dwarmaj
    Dwarmaj


    Number of posts : 5285
    Registration date : 2008-11-26

    Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help!  Electrical Problem Empty Re: Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help! Electrical Problem

    Post by Dwarmaj Mon Oct 11, 2010 9:28 am

    Teramotos wrote:I checked the terminals on the retangular plastic box that I thought was the battery. It had a power cable in and it had what was clearly a ground wire going out. How was I suppose to know that it was really the fuse box/ AC electronics?

    http://www.ehow.com/how_5412518_change-battery-buick.html

    avatar
    Kenji


    Number of posts : 3459
    Registration date : 2008-12-02

    Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help!  Electrical Problem Empty Re: Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help! Electrical Problem

    Post by Kenji Mon Oct 11, 2010 10:03 am

    Everybody has 20/20 hindsight, right Stu?
    Ross
    Ross
    Admin


    Number of posts : 3864
    Registration date : 2008-11-26
    Age : 56
    Location : Seattle

    Character sheet
    Campaign: 4e-Against the Giants
    Character Name: Kazoo Noisemaker
    Player Name: Ross

    Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help!  Electrical Problem Empty Re: Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help! Electrical Problem

    Post by Ross Mon Oct 11, 2010 11:29 am

    You should also be concerned about what drained the battery in the first place. Hopefully you just left a light on or something, because if none of your electronics came on the battery was completely drained.


    _________________
    CHARACTERS:

    Silk - Human/Hexblade [4e-Dark Nights Rising Campaign]
    Kazoo - Halfling(Kender)/Hybrid(Rogue/Druid) [4e-Against the Giants]
    Morbius Von Kas - Vryloka/Blackguard [4e-Rainbow Warriors Campaign]
    Man'Tis Man'Todea - Thri-Kreen/Berserker [4e-Slave Lords Campaign]
    Nathan Grey - Ardent (4e-Terran One Campaign)
    Walt Dixon - Bladesinger (4e-Terran One Campaign)
    Shandral Aurlong - Human/Sorcerer [5e-Horde of the Dragon Queen Campaign]
    Danilo Rand - Monk/Human [5e-Princes of the Apocalypse Campaign]
    Battlefield Soldier: Saturnicus
    Diablo III Battletag: Saturnus#1572
    Neverwinter: @bobpatrick.com
    XBox GamerTag: Drizityn


    Kazoo the Kender: "Hmm, I'll take....the Wand of Wonder." The rest of the party regretted giving Kazoo the first treasure pick.
    avatar
    Kenji


    Number of posts : 3459
    Registration date : 2008-12-02

    Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help!  Electrical Problem Empty Re: Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help! Electrical Problem

    Post by Kenji Mon Oct 11, 2010 11:32 am

    Ross wrote:You should also be concerned about what drained the battery in the first place. Hopefully you just left a light on or something, because if none of your electronics came on the battery was completely drained.

    Yes, I just took it to get the oil changed and they messed with my headlight settings (which normally are fully automatic). I'm hoping too that this was the problem. Worked fine for 1 day so far! Smile
    Teramotos
    Teramotos


    Number of posts : 4844
    Registration date : 2008-12-01
    Age : 60
    Location : Seattle

    Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help!  Electrical Problem Empty Re: Buick Century - Brad's Car - Help! Electrical Problem

    Post by Teramotos Mon Oct 11, 2010 11:34 am

    Yeah, the first thing I asked Brad was how many years old the battery was and he didn't know. If the battery isn't getting the right level of charge, the battery may still be good but you need a new alternator.


    _________________
    Weslocke "What do you wish to know?"

    Sonya Morecut (Human Warlord) - SG1
    Whey Baker (Human Fighter) - SG1
    Archemedies - (Githyanki Artificer) - Slave Ship
    Alysa Redfield (Human Archer Warlord) - Dark Nights Rising

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