Auto Electronics: Buick Regal Gran Sport 1994, buick regal, negative cable

Question
Hello. I have a 1994 Buick Regal Gran Sport (3.8L V6) has a new battery and
will not start. Also nothing else works either (ie headlights, or anything in the
dash will not turn on) The only thing electrical that turns on is the dome light
when I open the door. The car will not take a jump nor does anything else
turn on when connected to another car. This problem used to happen
intermittently but then I changed the battery and the car worked for a while
and then went to nothing. The alternator was putting out 14 volts when I
tested it at the time when I got the new battery. It does seem that something
may be draining the battery when the car is turned off which makes me think
that there is a short somewhere. I have a battery charger and a multi-meter
to trouble shoot but I am kind of pressed for time since I am moving in the
next week. Please Help if you can... Thanks

Answer
David, without more details this will be difficult to diagnose. First off it sounds like you have a no crank condition, if this is the case make sure the battery is charged in good shape and has good clean connections. Next, since the headlights are not working either, follow the battery positive cable to the underhood distribution box. Check the box connections, fuses/breakers and circuitry over carefully, looking for corrosion and or bad connections. I believe there is a second box, give it the once over as well. Test with a voltmeter all fuses and breakers for power (battery voltage). Check the ground side as well by following the negative cable to where it connects to the chassis and any splices. If a visual check fails to turn up anything, the circuits will need to be voltage drop tested. Good luck. Don.