Electrical Problem, Something's Draining the Battery Options

[LeonStryfe]

The car is running find and all, nothing seems wrong with the car. However, something is seriously draining the hell out of the battery. I dont use it for two days and the moment I try to, the battery is gone. I've jump started the car many times now.

What could be the problem? When I turned the car off, I made sure nothing was on. Except the alarm but I'm pretty sure that that cannot be it.

Thanks in advance

- Leon

PS - Battery is Brand New - Sorry I posted this under the wrong category

This post has been edited by LeonStryfe: May 21, 2006 - 2:16 AM

[XS4lv1Truch0x]

alternator?

[LeonStryfe]

I'm not exactly sure, how do I go about checking? What should I do to locate a problem? Buy a 12V light indicator, and attach it in between my Neg part of the battery/cable? and start tampering with the fuses?

[bindertch]

I'm not exactly sure, how do I go about checking? What should I do to locate a problem? Buy a 12V light indicator, and attach it in between my Neg part of the battery/cable? and start tampering with the fuses?

Unfortunately yes. I would start with anything aftermarket though. But worst case is you have a wire somewhere that has rubbed against metal and is grounding your battery.

[eliaz]

Stick a amperemeter between the battery pole and the battery cable. Then you start pulling fuses. If the current drops when you pull a fuse, then you know what circuit it is.

[Cutrara]

I had the same exact problem. The voltage regulator in my alternator went bad and was draining my battery, only when the car was off, though.

[LeonStryfe]

I had the same exact problem. The voltage regulator in my alternator went bad and was draining my battery, only when the car was off, though.

Yea whenever my car is off , just after a day of no use, its completely drained.

Where's the fuses? Is it it in the driver side under the hood?

And, how did you check if the voltage regulator in the alternator has a problem?

[Bitter]

if you're asking these sorts of questions then i doubt you'll know how to correct the problem if you can find it. best bet is to take it to a shop and tell them whats happening and that you want them to do an Ignition Off Draw Test.

have you installed any electronics lately? perhaps some audio equipment?

[LeonStryfe]

if you're asking these sorts of questions then i doubt you'll know how to correct the problem if you can find it. best bet is to take it to a shop and tell them whats happening and that you want them to do an Ignition Off Draw Test.

have you installed any electronics lately? perhaps some audio equipment?

People learn from asking questions. Yea I guess I'm still a noob about this but I rather start learning than to rely many times on a mechanic. Yea you're definitely right, I don't know how to correct the problem if I ever find it, but isn't that the reason why I'm asking for advices/help in the forum. To learn something about my vehicle's electrical problem? I wanna learn how to diagnose and fix my car. Only way to learn is to do it.

Anyways, I checked the fuses, as well the alternator and found no problem. So I took it to a mechanic and he too found no problem with them. So the next possible scenario I think is that there is a bad ground. All I know is that, it'll be a long tedious processto find it... question is being I'm still new to this, how do Ilook and what do I do?

[Bitter]

i doubt the mechanic knew what he was doing, its not a fuse problem.

get a DVOM and hook it in series with the positive battery cable with the car off. turn the meter to AMPs, there should be less than 1 amp draw with everything off. it could be something as simple as a sticking switch keeping the trunk light on.

[Cutrara]

I tried to diagnose it myself, with a voltmeter, but I finally got fed up and took it to my mechanic and said "Fix it"

[lazarpaul]

I've got the exact same problem:(......i've jump start it today after being off for just 2 days......i've replaced the battery 2 times ......every time it worked fine for about 2 months on new battery.......someone suggested that maybe the amplifier(800 watts - no capacitor) may drain the battery.......but that's off when the car is......so it must be something else......please post whatever news you have......thank you:)

[LeonStryfe]

I've got the exact same problem:(......i've jump start it today after being off for just 2 days......i've replaced the battery 2 times ......every time it worked fine for about 2 months on new battery.......someone suggested that maybe the amplifier(800 watts - no capacitor) may drain the battery.......but that's off when the car is......so it must be something else......please post whatever news you have......thank you:)

I Pmed you with my situation, do a test on each component, especially on aftermarket parts you've installed. Alternator, fuses, and any component that may have gone bad inside your car. Many times it's bad grounding that leads to this problem that I had on mine. Buying a new battery all the time is gonna eat up your cash, dude, if your not using your car for more than a day, disconnect the negative side of the battery so it doesnt get drained. It's a temporary way to prevent drainage and will save you money.