dead battery mystery

[ramonesfreak]

few weeks ago, my battery was dead when i tried starting it after car sat 2 days. im still not sure why.

i charged battery 100%. Drove 150 miles over several days. no problems at all....probably about 10 different starts. all good

parked car 1 week ago and now my battery is dead again. no lights turn on, no nothing. totally drained

--I did have my door open while in my garage all week, but, the interior lights were off, as were all electrical devices

could the door being open drain the battery even when the cabin lights are set to off?

if not, any ideas what to check? im guessing something is draining the battery as it sits but nothing is obviously turned on......

thanks

[old man neri]

Time to break out the ammeter and start running it across fuses to see if you do have any unusual drains.

How old is your battery anyways? Have you had it tested?

[ramonesfreak]

im not sure how to use a meter...hopefully i can find a source to learn how asap

battery is 3 years old. was working fine until about a month ago

i dont suspect its the alternator because the battery dies after sitting, NOT after driving

the only hint i have to offer is the open door for 1 week, but again, the lights were clicked to off position

[ramonesfreak]

reference: current drain testing method

http://www.mightyautoparts.com/pdf/articles/tt63.pdf

[rgrimm]

The only thing I can offer is to fully charge the battery and, if you're not going to drive the car for week, pull it into the garage and disconnect the battery. Hook it up after and week and, if the car starts, you have a current drain. If it doesn't, you have a bad battery.

I haven't had the '84 out for a while and went to get it out garage I rent. Dead...dead...dead. Couldn't understand it...at least until I looked over and saw the glove box door open. Aaargh!

It's on a trickle charger as I write

[azasadny]

My 3 year old Optima does this too, so I'm taking it back to the local auto parts store where I bought it to work out an exchange.

[ramonesfreak]

ive been reading similar threads now for more than an hour. seems this is a common problem.

i have concluded from reading the threads that the problems people have are one of or a combination of 3 things:

1) faulty charging system
2) bad/damaged battery
3) parasitic current draw

so, i guess ill start by taking the battery to a shop to be tested and if good, start trying to diagnose where the draw is coming from, assuming there is one

time to start reading about meters and electrical systems. damn

the only thing i know about electrical systems is flipping the switch on my wall turns my lights on

here is one of many relevant threads
Multimeter and draining battery

[ramonesfreak]

could the door being open drain the battery even when the cabin lights are set to off?

[billybek]

A definite maybe.
Alarm system that is getting status from the door light switch?
Most likely a drain from somewhere else.....

[ramonesfreak]

basics, for dummies like me

How to Test a Car Battery with a Multimeter -- powered by ExpertVillage.com

testing alternator

How to Check if your Alternator is Charging your Battery -- powered by ExpertVillage.com

[ramonesfreak]

decent article re: how to use a meter
http://autospeed.com/cms/A_107735/article.html

[dan88911]

I had a problem with the trunk lamp draining the battery.It was also connected to a lousy alarm system when I bought the car last year. Good luck

[rick-l]

Originally Posted by srandallf

could the door being open drain the battery even when the cabin lights are set to off?

Do you door light switches work? I am not sure 83's had this feature but if the doors are open the power window relay is energized.

[ramonesfreak]

yes, my door switches work fine