Why Does My 1988 Oldsmobile Battery Always Go Dead?
The reasons for battery failure on your 1988 Oldsmobile are the same as for failure on other cars and trucks. Today's low-maintenance batteries usually give long and faithful service, but basic maintenance practices will help your battery attain the longest possible service life. Simple examples of battery care for your 1988 Oldsmobile include keeping your battery clean and ensuring you take some longer trips to give your alternator time to recharge the battery.
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Battery Draws
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Automobiles have many electrical accessories that draw power even when the ignition switch is off. Components that draw continual power are clocks, stereo systems, remote door opening systems, alarms and the electronic control module. Your 1988 Oldsmobile was engineered so these components would not run your battery down over short periods of time. Problems develop when electrical components develop an internal short, or have a wire going to ground that causes excessive power to be drawn off the battery. General Motors' specification for acceptable battery draw is 30mA (0.030 amp).
Corroded Cable Ends
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Corroded battery cable ends are a two-way street to disaster for the battery on your 1988 Oldsmobile. Corroded cable ends inhibit the ability of the alternator to recharge the battery after the car is started. Corroded cable ends reduce the amount of power available to run the starter when the ignition switch is operated. If your cable ends are severely corroded, over time your battery will die. Batteries should be inspected regularly for corrosion. One place you'll find hidden corrosion is within the cable strands under the plastic battery cable insulation.
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Defective Cells
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Twelve-volt car batteries are made of six individual cells that create 2.1 volts of electricity. Each cell contains lead plates covered with an electrolyte solution made up of water and acid. For cells to operate correctly, the electrolyte solution must be maintained at the correct level and at the correct water-to-acid ratio. If the battery on your Oldsmobile has just one defective cell, the effective power of the battery is reduced to approximately 10 volts. Regular battery maintenance must include ensuring cell electrolyte levels are maintained and checking for battery leakage.
Short Trips
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Many people use their car for short trips around town to run errands or to make the short drive to work in the morning. On summer trips you may use the air conditioner; in winter you may use the heater and rear window defroster. Trips under eight miles are not sufficient to completely recharge the battery after the starting cycle. If you drive your Oldsmobile only for short trips over an entire month, your battery may go into a state of discharge and eventually be catastrophically damaged.
Defective Alternator
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If your alternator is not producing sufficient voltage and amperage to recharge your battery, the battery will quickly go dead. Alternators need to produce between 14.0 to 14.6 volts of electricity to recharge the battery and run other accessories. Standard alternator amperage output specifications for a 1988 Oldsmobile are 105 amps or greater, depending on how the car is equipped. Always look up the exact output specifications for your car before condemning your alternator.
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References
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