buick5563 Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 I came out this morning and noticed that my key was in the on position. Battery dead. Got a jump and the car started right up. There is a minor burning smell inside the cabin now. If I had burnt the points, would the car have started and run well?The wagon has a fancy pants alternator in the genny case, so it wouldn't be an overheating voltage regulator. Thanks y'all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBulldogMiller55Buick Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 I did that once.Burnt the points. The points were fused when it happened to me. Not a chance that mine was going to start. Not to say, that yours weren't burnt. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 If it runs, don't worry about it. If the points were open when the key was left on, then no problem; it the points were completely closed, then the coil will get hot and the ballast resistor will get real hot ---- the ballast resistor probably heated the firewall and that is where the odor is from. Points that are barely closed will arc like a welder and burn...you can sometimes demonstrate by rotating the distributor with the ignition on. If you can, charge the battery with a battery charger. Alternators don't like to charge dead batteries.Willie 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted June 15, 2015 Author Share Posted June 15, 2015 (edited) Got it. Was eating when you called. ThanksEdit:Honestly don't know how it was left on. Edited June 15, 2015 by buick5563 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasJohn55 Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Got it. Was eating when you called. ThanksEdit:Honestly don't know how it was left on. Maybe your navigator took her for a spin. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhclark Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 I did that a few years ago. Mine were fused shut.I came out Friday night at the Nationals to find my ignition on as well. Luckily, no ill effects that time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted June 15, 2015 Author Share Posted June 15, 2015 I did that a few years ago. Mine were fused shut.I came out Friday night at the Nationals to find my ignition on as well. Luckily, no ill effects that time. Hmm. That's weird. I know both of our cars were unlocked. I would like to think that it was just a coincidence, but I have had people mess with things before. It's not going to affect how much I have loved my trip so far. Let's not travel down the path of what D's people can be... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Honestly don't know how it was left on. maybe a bunch of HAMMS???? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted June 15, 2015 Author Share Posted June 15, 2015 I only had one that night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 I only had one that night. How big?? Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 Big enough, a size 30 cube, I reckon... I think there was some fiddlin' with the cars on Friday night, because the cause of my dead battery Saturday was that the radio was left on...which I didn't use on the trip. Found that out Saturday evening after the show, it was just turned on, volume completely low... Hmmm.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted June 17, 2015 Author Share Posted June 17, 2015 So that is two ignitions left on, a radio, and somebody stole something out of Larry's truck. Hate to think it...BUT, the ignitions being on is a Buick only feature implying member monkeying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhclark Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 Mine was an accident, I'm sure. It was driven earlier that day by someone who may not have realized they left it on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted June 18, 2015 Share Posted June 18, 2015 I guess "somebody" might have been investigating the difference in "GEN" lights among the different model years? On many of the really "modern" alternators, you really need to charge the battery before starting the vehicle after discharged battery. Why? When the alternator "sees" a dead battery, it goes to "full charge" immediately, which can cook the regulator quickly. I've known of some Ford alternators which failed for that reason, with GM strongly recommending not using the alternator to be a "battery charger" rather than as a "charge maintainer". But these newer alternators have at least the output of the earlier vehicles' charging system. If a "headlight ON" buzzer an be easily added, what about tapping into the "GEN" light circuit? Or perhaps a contact to the ignition cylinder as the later models did for the "Key in ignition" buzzer? NTX5467 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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