Battery Common Causes of Malfunction. Buick Roadmaster 1996

For 1990-2009 cars

The battery is not designed to last indefinitely; however, with proper care, it will provide many years of service. If the battery tests good, but fails to perform satisfactorily in service for no apparent reason, check the following list of the more important factors that may point to the cause of the trouble:

• | The vehicle accessories were left on overnight.

• | The average driving speeds have been slow and for short periods.

• | The vehicles' electrical load is more than the generator output, particularly with the addition of aftermarket equipment.

• | There are conditions in the charging system such as electrical shorts, slipping serpentine belt, faulty generator, or faulty generator voltage regulator.

• | There has been battery abuse, including failure to keep the battery terminals clean and tight, or loose battery hold-down. Refer to Battery Replacement .

• | There are mechanical conditions in the electrical system, such as shorted or pinched wires.

• | The vehicle has been stored for an extended length of time.

• | The vehicle has been cranked extensively due to engine problems.

• | There is an incorrect interpretation of the hydrometer.

• | There is an insufficient ampere-hour charge rate for a discharged battery.

• | There is a burned out charge/generator lamp bulb causing a NO CHARGE condition.

• | There is continuous current draw on the battery through excessive parasitic drain.