Battery dies with key in ignition

[Sky_King]

Is it normal for the battery to die if a key is left in the ignition? I left mine in the ignition the other night (In the off position) and when I tried to start it a day later no go. Battery was dead. I hooked up my Porsche battery maintainer/charger via the cigarette lighter socket and it charged right up.

Any help here? What does it do to discharge the battery with the key in it?

Joe :drive:

'01 996 C2

Speed Yellow

[ar38070]

Unless you remove the key and then put it back in some of the electrics stay on, like the dash lights. You can see this if you have the radio on when you turn off the engine. The radio will stay on until you remove the key. If you take the key out the radio will turn off, then you can put the key back in.

[Sky_King]

Is it normal for the battery to die if a key is left in the ignition?  I left mine in the ignition the other night (In the off position) and when I tried to start it a day later no go.  Battery was dead.  I hooked up my Porsche battery maintainer/charger via the cigarette lighter socket and it charged right up. 

Any help here?  What does it do to discharge the battery with the key in it?

Joe :drive:

'01 996 C2

Speed Yellow

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And then it won't drain the battery?

[djantlive]

Like ar38070 said: with key in, radio/fan/headlight and other components stay on and will drain it. If radio/fan/headlight was off, your battery should sustain a night. If that's the case, your battery may be weak. Charge it fully and if the battery is 4-5 yrs old, you may want to replace it if this happens again.

[Sky_King]

Is it normal for the battery to die if a key is left in the ignition?  I left mine in the ignition the other night (In the off position) and when I tried to start it a day later no go.  Battery was dead.  I hooked up my Porsche battery maintainer/charger via the cigarette lighter socket and it charged right up. 

Any help here?  What does it do to discharge the battery with the key in it?

Joe :drive:

'01 996 C2

Speed Yellow

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And then it won't drain the battery?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks,

I believe things _were_ turned off so it may be a weak battery. I'm reasonably certain it's now weaker due to discharging the battery.

Joe :rolleyes:

[wross996TT]

If you leave the key in the ignition it will drain the battery even with the stereo off.

[Izzy]

So, where is this nice 911 with the key in the ignition?

Just kidding, but I always think of the explanation to the cops or the insurance company "well, I left the key in the ignition....." Even though I live in a nice low crime area, my car is garaged and alarmed for both house and garage doors, won't leave the keys there. Growing up in Miami, you see......

[Sky_King]

So, where is this nice 911 with the key in the ignition? 

Just kidding, but I always think of the explanation to the cops or the insurance company "well, I left the key in the ignition....."  Even though I live in a nice low crime area, my car is garaged and alarmed for both house and garage doors, won't leave the keys there.  Growing up in Miami, you see......

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yep, you guessed it...... in the garage

[Izzy]

Hey, that is a unique plate, never seen it done that way, great imagination. I also see the reflection on the bumper of the truck with the big ole tires. Doing some muddin' I take?

I noticed my 996 dashboard "comes alive" with the key just inserted. It is all black or "off" when the key is off. So with the key in, it is drawing some amperage. Don't know how much, but it can be enough to drain the battery.

I had a similar problem with the Honda Odyssey, and they key in or one reading light left on. In 2-3 hours the battery would be dead. I replaced the original battery (485 CCA) with a new 1000 CCA and the problem has been solved for a couple of years. The kids still leave a light on and it doesn't bother the battery. The original battery was a year old when replaced. Honda wouldn't do a thing to fix it since it was a common problem with all Odysseys.