each new battery drained, our solution Options

[firefly]

Our 1998 Celica GT ran beautifully for a year or two after we bought it, then suddenly the battery began dying at odd times, sometimes after a few weeks or a month; sometimes overnight; other times after having been driven and parked for as little as 20 minutes! After three successive new batteries, repeated measurements of each battery's functionality (always just fine, thanks), and intense tests and examinations by several mechanics, the battery gremlin continued to drain each new battery at random times, and no one seemed able to find the gremlin's hiding place. In the end, a mechanic suggested that we try purchasing a $35 battery maintainer and plug it into the Celica's battery each night. We did this, and it has solved the problem without too much fuss; I just have to unplug the maintainer and shut the hood before driving the car each day. I still wonder what causes this maddening issue, but I'm grateful I can enjoy my car again.

[6strngs]

Sounds like you treated the symptom, not the issue You definitely have something that is drawing power from the battery with the car off, which as Box mentioned can be caused by a power wire shorting to ground. I'm sure you have but you could check the battery cable connections where the ground bolts to the chassis and the positive goes to the fuse box. This also could be caused by a worn ignition switch if you are able to remove the keys without it being fully in the "lock" position.