Questions and Answers

Pontiac Formula Fiero Current Draw Q. I have a 1988 Pontiac Formula Fiero, 2.8 liter fuel injected V-6 engine and a manual 5 speed transmission. The car has about 98,000 miles on it. However, I haven’t driven it much in the past three years. I replaced the distributor about two years ago. The headlight motors have gone out and I have unplugged them so that the headlights will work but the motors will not come on.

The problem I am having is the battery will go dead after about two days completely! I tried replacing the battery, same thing, dead in about two days or less. Any ideas what may be causing such a huge drain on the battery? Also, what do I need to do about getting the car ready to drive other than changing the oil?

Thanks for any help,
Ron

A. You need an ammeter installed in series with the negative battery cable to see how much "draw" is on the battery. First, charge the battery. Then install the meter to see what the amp draw is. Then you will need to pull fuses, one at a time, until the draw goes away. The fuse that removes the draw is the circuit with something powered up. Got a new radio? Maybe it's wired wrong? Mice inside eating wires? Draw should be under 30mA.

Read Cadillac Seville Kills Batteries Overnight for information on doing the parasitic draw test.

To get this car back on the road, just make sure all the fluids are up to snuff, make sure the brakes are okay. Surfaces are probably rusty from sitting. Make sure the tires are up to pressure and not cracked or dry rotted. Check all the other rubber items especially the fuel lines, coolant hoses etc.