Why does my batery keep draining?
- Thread starter Fastcat
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If I remember right you can use a test light to find out what is draining the battery. First you disconnect the positive side on the battery and put one side of the test light on the battery post and the other on the cable and it sould light up if there is anything draining your battery. Then you can go and start pulling fuses until the light goes off to figure out where it is draing from. Just make sure you have all the doors closed or the interior lights will try to come on. I think this is how you do it. It has been along time so if I said something wrong I am not a expert.
how many relays are energized when the alarm is on? more than ~350mA draw is frowned upon by installers. add in a short, and all bets are off. just something to remember.
what fuse was the problem? good luck.
what fuse was the problem? good luck.
TheBocSez
New Member
Recently had the exact same problem. Turned out to be the alternator. Yeah, I didnt think a bad alt could drain a batt either but it seems that if somthing in the alt is grounding it can. I used a multimeter to test mine. I charged the batt which should read approx 12.6v when the car is off (mine was 11.9). I then started the car and turned on the lights and such. The batt should read in the area of 13.5v or higher with it running (mine was 11.6 and steadliy dropping). I replaced the alt and no more problems. Its worth a check. If you dont have a multimeter, its easy to remove and most parts stores will test it for free. Hope it helps.
SilikonBlu
New Member
- Apr 20, 2004
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TheBocSez said:
I had the same problem - battery would die if you didn't drive the car in about a 24hr period. One of the symptoms I noticed was the ammeter gauge (ALT) was running way higher than it normally did. Replaced the alternator and the problem was solved - apparently it had a short in it and was draining the battery when the car was off...
stang976
New Member
extozy
New Member
well my problem is when you drive the car, the battery gauge thing is in the middle, like i suppose it should be, but once you drive the car and use the AC or Light or something, it won't turn on after that... i can't figure mine out, the alternator i guess? but the gauge says its charging.
i also have an electric fan, and i suppose a stock alternator.
i also have an electric fan, and i suppose a stock alternator.
i would take it to a parts store for free testing of the charging system. with the added info, you could have a bad battery connection or a bad cell in the battery. those will impede even a hypothetical 10G alternator from getting juice into the battery.
the fact that you get by while driving, but then have no start issues (i assume you mean nothing at all happens or clicking happens, while cranking).
a few tests and checks (free) could save you some money. good luck.
the fact that you get by while driving, but then have no start issues (i assume you mean nothing at all happens or clicking happens, while cranking).
a few tests and checks (free) could save you some money. good luck.
Sounds like another bad alternator diode question. This is allot more common than I'd have guessed. What everyone is saying is correct. Your charging system can "appear" to be operating correctly even when the diode in your alternator is bad. When that component fails, your alternator will work as advertized when the motor is running (alt volts overcoming batt volts) but when the car is off and the alternator is not being powered, the absence of that diode turns your alternator into a really ineffecient motor (being powered by the battery). What's worse is that your serpantine belt won't allow your alternator to be motored. That makes a condition that is about as close to a direct short as you can get without all the fireworks.
Do you have underdrive pullies? They don't allow the alternater to charge the battery like it should, The use to happen to me all the time, paired with a faulty alternater this may be the problem. In this case the alternator does not drain the battery, it just does not re-charge it like it should. Thats why you may see your voltage drop when ideling
cdog301
Founding Member
battery
A quick test to see if your batt is being charged fully is place a DC volt meter on the positive and neg (red and Black) posts of the batt start the car and you should read about 13.5 VDC for a fully charged batt if lower probably the Alt!
A quick test to see if your batt is being charged fully is place a DC volt meter on the positive and neg (red and Black) posts of the batt start the car and you should read about 13.5 VDC for a fully charged batt if lower probably the Alt!
Fastcat said:
Do you have any aftermarket items like an alarm system, stereo, instruments, radio, radar detector, etc.? If so one of them may be the culprit. Don't overlook the glove compartment light, it is hard to check with the door closed.
