Mystery drain!

[flipper]

Hello all, I replaced my battery a couple of months ago as the old one went dead in the middle of 0 degree temps sitting in my garage.

Now the new battery is dead if the car sits for a few days.

Are there certain battery drains that these cars are known for? I can not seem to figure out how to find a battery drain.

Thanks in advance for any help,

Shawn

[Loren]

Hello all, I replaced my battery a couple of months ago as the old one went dead in the middle of 0 degree temps sitting in my garage.

Now the new battery is dead if the car sits for a few days.

Are there certain battery drains that these cars are known for? I can not seem to figure out how to find a battery drain.

Thanks in advance for any help,

Shawn

I suggest:

1. Have your battery tested at a car parts store.

2. If it is okay, then measure the load (amps) when the car is off - should be around 40-60 ma).

If it is more pull fuses one at a time until the drain goes away. When the fuse you pull brings the load back down to 40-60 ma then you have found the circuit with the problem. Once you've done that report back here what fuse and we'll tell you what is on the circuit and suggest what to look for.

[flipper]

Thanks Loren, I will try this later on today I hope.

[flipper]

Ok, went and got an electric meter thingy, and with the car off, the battery fully charged, it read about 26ma.

what does his mean?

[JFP in PA]

Ok, went and got an electric meter thingy, and with the car off, the battery fully charged, it read about 26ma.

what does his mean?

It means you seeing a very slight current draw when everything is swithced off. This is normal, it is casued by things like radio station pre-sets, the alarm system and a clock. Usually, the a current draw of less than 50-60 mA is considered normal, so your "everything off" current draw is fine.

Suggest considering a battey maintainer for when the car is not in use. A lot of people get by without them, but they really do a great job of keeping the battery fully charged when the car is not in use, and significantly extend the battery's usefull life.....

Edited April 5, 2009 by JFP in PA

[spyder803]

May not be the case but I know I have been guilty of this before so just FYI. If you know you won't be using the car for a while don't periodically start it just to let it run for a couple of minutes and shut it off.

Years ago I did this with a garage queen and it only made the battery die quicker as I was not running it long enough to let the alternator charge the battery up enough to replace the voltage needed to start it.