Thread: 1998 Buick Regal Problems

it could be any number of things really first id try jumping it if it runs go to your local parts store and have them test you battery and alt. if i doesnt check for fuel, if you have a way to check fuel pressure thatd be really helpful, my first guess would be a fueling problem but try the easy things first that only takes about 10min

If it cranks, then what is the purpose of adding voltage by jumping? You should be able to tell if the battery is nearly dead by a super slow crank or no crank.

Are you missing fuel or spark?

Well then...I'm sure checking that the battery cables are snug is first on your list.

Originally Posted by MidnightBlue

I ment to say i cant crank it over, and i had fuel pressure and spark cause it was running before i went inside

you cant just assume you have fuel and spark. the car wont run. these are your first 2 checks if the engine cranks but wont start.

test your battery. test it car off, should be 12 volts or higher. then test the battery when its running it should be 13 volts to 14 volts, give it a little gas to see if the volts go up if they are still at 12 or not much higher then when running. low volts running is a bad alt.

some parts stores also have a load tester to test the battery, they can also test your alternator if you take it off and bring it in. same as the battery. you need to bring it inside the store.


and as far as rebuilding your old alt, they are usually cheaper. ive gone that route in the past as well. its nice when they have one ready to go. but have gone back in as little as a hour to pick them up, and they look like new too.

I have them both pulled out, im waiting for a ride to get to oreillys to test them both out, right now the best option is the a interstate battery MT-78 for $93 with 875 CA and 700 CCA and if my alternator is bad a place here in town rebuilds them and have one ready for $88 dollars exchange.

that battery should do just fine. just make sure the terminals are on the right sides, aka match your old one.

and your re builder cost about the same as my local guy, 80 to 90 is the norm, can go up or down depending on the car of course.

I'm getting batteries for about $60 new fwiw with discount codes.

Search for advance auto discount codes. or whatever parts store is in your area.

if you have a advance auto near by. you go on line, enter discount code, buy it on line, and pick it up locally. they give this months code at the top of every page. top right side.

if its a gs, it calls for the higher cca's 900 would be dandy.

when buying a battery if you live in a cold area, you always want the highest CCA'S you can get. in my last truck i had 2, 1,000 CCA battery's hooked up, helped a ton with snow plowing. with one single stock battery, when i worked the plow the volt gauge would get pinned to the low side bottom, dim the lights. installed the two 1000 cca's and the gauge would flick 1/2 way down, and then climb back up a bit. and the plow moved much faster.

Which do you want?