Battery Dead on 86 SE 6cyl (Page 1/1)
Salsapants MAR 27, 04:17 PM
Hello, I have an 86 SE 6 cyl automatic, and the battery has died mysteriously to me. I had started the car last week and it started up without any issue. I went to start it 2 days ago and there was nothing, no interior lights, and the light in the trunk was extremely dim.

I have recently purchased a new battery and have also changed the alternator as well about 3 months ago on this car (so I'm really hoping that this is not an alternator issue because holy smokes that is a pain). We had hooked up a battery charger to it and when I had gone to start it, there was a strange, long, electrical buzzing noise that seemed to be coming from everywhere. (Sorry i can't really explain that much better).

Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Patrick MAR 27, 04:21 PM

I suspect one or both of your headlight motors are misbehaving. Temporarily unplug the single wire that goes to each motor and see if the problem stops.
Salsapants MAR 27, 04:37 PM
I think you've got it! I hooked up the charger to it again and opened up the hood. Went around and slowly twisted the manual adjusters and on the right motor it started buzzing and humming as I barely moved it.
theogre MAR 28, 10:27 AM
See my Cave, Battery Leaches
Gen1 HL motor(s) may not be the only problem here.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

FX MAR 28, 01:25 PM
Yes, Patric has a good point. I had this exact same problem with my 86 GT, gen one head light motors. One was bad, but I rebuilt both. Another problem I had with it draining the battery was the fuel pump constantly running after I shut it down, I couldn't find the reason for the life of me. A neighbor came over one day after I parked it and shut it down. He asked me what that humming noise was. As I am near deef, I couldn't hear it. It turned out to be the fuel pump still running after shut-down. It was a bad oil pressure switch that the fuel pump is wired through...
Bob
Salsapants MAR 28, 07:50 PM
Thank you everyone for the great help! I appreciate it all!