1998 deville 160,00 miles-veh sitting for over a year.. Changed radiator(cracked), alternator(drained battery would not idle after removing cables) replaced battery and oil pressure switch(oil on connector and low oil presssure illuminated) complete air oil and filter change and coolant tank(not reading coolant full)...The only sign now is oil light light began to flash after driving about 50 miles veh seemed to shake but it could have been the freeway drive,... what can this be.. kristie

I suspect parasitic draw. All vehicles draw some power from the batteries when the car is shut off. Certain accessories such as clocks, radios remote door openers and alarms always need power. The normal power used is called parasitic draw.

It is always a very low draw so it doesn't run the battery down. If you install accessories like shortwave radios or plug things like inverters and portable refrigerators into the accessory socket and operate them too long without the engine running you can drain your batteries to the point where the engine won't start. If there is an electrical short in the vehicle or a malfunctioning accessory it could be drawing much more than its normal load causing a drain on the batteries. If you leave your door open and the inside lights stay on all night you could drain the battery down till the car won't start.

Here's also a good resource for your car specifically on narrowing down the cause of the drain.

performed paresetic draw on system to find out what is draining the battery
could be lots of thing ex : trunk light ,under hood light ,etc etc.

SOUND LIKE A DEAD BATTERY BUT CHECK BATTERY VOLTAGE SHOULD BE 12.6 VOLTS.IF NOT BATTERY DEAD NEED TO BE CHECK AND REPLACE.MAKE SURE BATTERY CABLES TIGHT AND BATTERY CABLES AND BATTERY POST CLEAN FREE FROM CORROSSION.AFTER REPLACING BATTERY MAKE SURE ALTERNATOR IS CHARGING BATTERY. WITH ENGINE IDLING BATTERY VOLTAGE SHOULD READ 13.5 - 14.5 VOLTS. MEANS ALTERNATOR IS CHARGING BATTERY. IF NOT CHECK ALTERNATOR FUSE AND CHECK ALTERNATOR BATTERY FEED WIRE AND VOLTAGE REGULATOR WIRES, MAKE SURE WIRES NOT FRAYED OR BROKEN. IF ALL IS GOOD MAKE SURE ALTERNATOR DRIVE BELT TENSION CORRECT.MAKE DRIVE BELT TENSIONER NOT BROKEN OR DAMAGE CAUSING DRIVE BELT TO SLIP OR CHECK ALTERNATOR CHECK ALTERNATOR PIVOT BOLT MAKE SURE NOT LOOSEN CAUSING TOO MUCH SLACK IN DRIVE BELT CAUSING BELT TO SLIP.WARNING TURN OFF RADIO FIRST BEFORE REMOVING BATTERY CABLES TO REPLACE THE BATTERY BECAUSE IF RADIO WAS LEFT ON WHILE BATTERY WAS DEAD WHEN YOU INSTALL BATTERY CABLES THE POWER SURGE WILL DAMAGE RADIO.

Check for the terminals for the battery and the alternator first. The alternator may not also be delivering current properly. Check the belt drives. Other than that it may be a bad alternator.

Removal & Installation


NOTE There is a trend among manufacturers today to refer to the source of belt-driven electrical power as a -generator-; however, by virtue of the method in which the -generator- produces electrical current the device is actually an -alternator-. The two terms may be used interchangeably.

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions Section.
2. Drain the cooling system.
3. Remove or disconnect the following:
   
   Negative battery cable Accessory drive belt Alternator upper mounting bolt Engine splash shield Radiator support access panel Rear alternator bracket from the engine Alternator mounting bolts Duct on the back of the alternator Electrical connectors Front alternator-to-A/C bracket Alternator
   

To install:

1. Install or connect the following:
   
   Alternator Front alternator-to-A/C bracket. Torque the bolt to 37 ft. lbs. (50 Nm). Electrical connectors. Torque the battery connection nut to 115 inch lbs. (13 Nm). Duct on the back of the alternator Alternator mounting bolts. Torque the bolts to 37 ft. lbs. (50 Nm). Upper front bolt. Torque the bolt to 35 ft. lbs. (47 Nm). Rear bracket to the engine. Torque the bolt to 37 ft. lbs. (50 Nm). Radiator support access panel Engine splash shield Accessory drive belt Negative battery cable
   
2. Refill the cooling system. 4 DeVille
   NOTE There is a trend among manufacturers today to refer to the source of belt-driven electrical power as a -generator-; however, by virtue of the method in which the -generator- produces electrical current the device is actually an -alternator-. The two terms may be used interchangeably.
   
3. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the Precautions Section.
4. Drain the cooling system.
5. Remove or disconnect the following:
   
   Negative battery cable Accessory drive belt Radiator Electrical connectors Alternator mounting bolts Alternator
   

To install:

1. Install or connect the following:
   
   Alternator Alternator mounting bolts. Torque the bolts to 37 ft. lbs. (50 Nm). Electrical connectors. Torque the battery connection nut to 111 inch lbs. (12 Nm). Radiator Accessory drive belt Negative battery cable
   
2. Refill the cooling system.

How old is the battery? I learned at Sears while working there in the battery department that the average life of car batteries is about 3 years. So, after that, batteries lose a significant amount of their performance CCA or cold cranking amps, and may have to be replaced on a pro rated basis after that period of time, on average.


I put a diehard platinum battery into my 1997 Cadillac Deville Limousine for about $189.99 plus tax and it has a 4 year replacement warranty due to bettery construction.

However, if you get Walmart's best Maxx battery, they have a 3 year replacement policy and they charge about $79.99. I put that into my 1990 Cadillac Deville.

Good luck on resolving the battery drain problem with a good alternator.

built in.

The radiator drain is on the drivers side all most to the bottom of the tank. Remove the bottom shield, then gently move the lines that may be blocking access to the drain plug. The plug has 2 wings, Just loosen it the plug does not have to come all the way out. You may have to put a small screwdriver in the drain hole (on the bottom of the side tank of the radiator to get the radiator to drain) Also remove the cap on the surge tank.Hope this helps

SOUND LIKE ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING BATTERY.BEFORE BUYING A NEW ALTERNATOR CHECK ALTERNATOR WIRES AND FUSE.IF YOU HAVE TO REMOVE ALTERNATOR.TURN OFF RADIO BEFORE REMOVING NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE.SO YOU WONT LOSE PLAYING CODE.

have the alternator checked it could test good and still be bad but it can also drain the battery 9 times out of 10 its the alternator thats draining the battery