bigsnorlax

For the past couple of weeks when i return to my car after its been sitting for a while and turn the key the engine will not turn over. I would try a couple times and it would just barely get enough umph and turn over and start. So i used a battery tester and got weak readings and this battery has been in there for almost ten years so i figured it was time to replace it.

Went to walmart 2 days ago and swapped out for a brand new one that worked great for the first day!... and now its doing it again. I know its not the alternator because if i let it run for awhile it will start next time easily, but if i do a very short errand it does it. Also i pulled the negative terminal while the car was running and the stays running perfectly, not even a falter.

Im not really sure what to check at this point, obviously SOMETHING seems to be putting a load on it while the car is off and draining it. What could drain a battery like that? I do have two 12'' subs and an amp, but iv since disconnected them when the old battery was acting weird and it still is disconnected.... Can a bad ground do something like this?

hondamark35

some parasitic draw while the car is off i guess.

testing is pretty easy, just a little bit tedious. it helps to have your wiring diagram handy. you'll also need a multimeter.

set it to look for amperage draw (...if memory serves, it's been a while since i had to do this). with the key off (or out) check amps at each fuse socket making note of the readings on each. there should be a pretty small draw for the ECU memory and the stereo memory. otherwise there should be nothing. try leaving the fuse out on any circuit showing a draw and then reinstalling them a few days later when you try to start the car again. see if that gets any results.

bigsnorlax

Thanks for the idea. I guess i'll have to try something like that... and ill need a multimeter ha.

It just strikes me as odd how this suddenly happens.... and the only explanation i can think of is some sort of "parasitic draw," as you stated.

Would a bad ground cause anything like this? Im not too good with electronics/current But thats what all my friends tell me to check but i dont think that would DRAIN a battery. But if it was a ground... it just wouldnt be starting... or would shut off randomly right? (sister's crv did this untill we found the loose ground on valve cover)

Lost Again

Try reading this for help.

flashoffroad.com/electrical/Batteries/BatteryDrain.html