Fellow Buick Owners, I have a 63 convertible, 401 and an alternator. Just put in a new starter. Battery was dead. Jumped it and ran it at idle for about a half an hour. Put it away and forgot to put something else away, went to start it and the battery was dead again. How can I tell if the Battery is bad or the alternator is bad. Plus if I remember correctly, these cars had external voltage regulators and I found one. Got the car runing again and disconnected the Posative teminal. The car ran and the voltage regulator was making a clicking sound. I suspect the batttery. Any comments before I sink some money at this issue. Thanks in advance! John in SE Pennsylvania o No:
If it continued to run without the positive side hooked then I would suspect you have a battery that has laid down.
Half an hour isn't long enough to charge a dead battery. Take it to your local McAuto Parts Store (Advance, Auto Zone,Kragen or whatever) and have them check it out. They'll do it for free. Could be a bad battery cable, too. C.J.
.... a half an hour would have been ok if u were driving but at idle its not enough. my 70 350 doesnt even charge at idle. if u dont have a voltage meter to test then re jump it at night or in the dark, turn on either your head lights or dome light and press the gas. if the lights go brighter then the alternator is charging. goodluck!
