Why does my car battery go dead after a few days?
Why does my car battery go dead after a few days?
Some have had the dead battery problem because of a bad cell in the battery, faulty battery cables, a bad diode in the alternator, or even a problem in the car’s radio. A dead battery after a few days has been a problem on several makes of car, not just my 2012 Hyundai Sonata.
How do you know if your GMC truck battery is dead?
One by one, pull each fuse in your fuse box. Check the multimeter after each fuse pull to see when the amperage draw goes away. Once you find the fuse that causes the amperage draw to go away, you at least know what circuit the draw is coming from.
What causes a car battery to drain in the morning?
If your alternator has a bad diode, your battery can drain. The bad alternator diode can cause the circuit to charge even when the engine is shut off, and you end up in the morning with a car that won’t start. 5. Extreme Temperature
What happens to the 12 volt battery in a Chevy Silverado?
Our 2004 Chevrolet silverado 1500 doesn’t kill the 12 volt when the truck is shut off, which means if we forget about the radar detector, it will stay on until will either unplug it or the battery dies (hasn’t died yet). Was this answer helpful?
Why does my GM Truck have a dead battery?
After digging between the seats and center consol I found the remote and as I thought it was in the on position, if the radios on the CD player still works and for some reason unknown to me now 12 years ago I wired it through a battery hot instead of the fuse box. Turn the remote off and no more dead batteries, amazing how that works.
What happens when a car battery dies for the first time?
When your car battery dies once, it may be tempting to just write it off as a fluke. Car batteries can die for a huge range of different reasons, and there’s always the chance that whatever went wrong won’t go wrong again.
How to drain a battery on a GMC Truck?
With key off, unhook your positive battery terminal. Put one multimeter lead on the battery terminal and the other on the positive cable. You’re basically making the multimeter part of the circuit. Set the meter to read amps. Now, since its being drained I assume you’ll see some kind of amperage draw.
Why does my car battery keep draining out?
Loose battery connections can also cause problems. Other parasitic drains in the electrical system. Parasitic drains can be difficult to find, but they are fully capable of killing batteries dead. Common drains include glove box and trunk lights that come on, or remain on, when they shouldn’t. Extremely hot or cold temperatures.
How often does a car battery die from heat?
Is the car only driven every 3 or 4 days or does it start for the first couple of days, then fail on the 3rd or 4th day of use? Does the battery have an insulating blanket. It’s pretty tight under the hood and the engine heat kills batteries fairly quickly (every 2.5 to 3.5 years).
How often should a car battery be charged?
Has the battery been properly charged, voltage should range from ~11.9V (fully discharged) to ~12.7V (fully charged). Is the car only driven every 3 or 4 days or does it start for the first couple of days, then fail on the 3rd or 4th day of use?
Can a car battery last longer than an ATV battery?
Because of the small size and rough handling an ATV battery needs to endure, it will generally not last as long as a car battery. To test if your battery holds a charge, simply disconnect both terminals and fully charge the battery. Use a multimeter to measure the voltage.
What would cause a car battery to keep dying?
Getty Images. Some of the most common reasons for a car battery to die repeatedly include loose or corroded battery connections, persistent electrical drains, charging problems, constantly demanding more power than the alternator can provide, and even extreme weather.
Why does my car battery die randomly?
Some of the most common reasons for a car battery to die repeatedly include loose or corroded battery connections, persistent electrical drains, charging problems, constantly demanding more power than the alternator can provide, and even extreme weather.
What are the signs of a weak car battery?
Dim Headlights. Dim or weak headlight beams can often be a sign of a weak car battery if the battery lacks sufficient power to power the vehicle’s electrical accessories, including the headlights.
Why does my battery keep losing its charge?
- but you still get the odd dead spot.
- Apps running in the background. There’s a difference between minimising and quitting an app.
- You’re not charging properly.
- You’ve got Wi-Fi and GPS enabled.
- Your phone is too hot.
Why does the battery keep draining the alternator?
Battery keeps draining replaced alternator and battery and new battery… battery keeps draining replaced alternator… A car battery is used to store electrical power in reserve to be used when the car engine is started. Several conditions can occur that will cause a battery to lose its charge overnight.
How long does an alternator and battery last?
As a battery ages it loses its ability to hold a charge, as a rule of thumb a battery will last about three to four years. If the battery is fairly new you will need to start the engine by jump starting or charging the battery using a battery charger. Once the engine is running test the alternator in the charging system.
What should I do if my alternator fails?
If the battery is fairly new you will need to start the engine by jump starting or charging the battery using a battery charger. Once the engine is running test the alternator in the charging system. If the alternator fails, replace it with a new or rebuilt unit and re-test system, if the alternator tests ok proceed to the next step.
When an alternator goes bad does it ruin the battery?
If an alternator goes bad, it certainly can kill a battery. Car batteries don’t like being run all the way down. If you have a fairly new battery, you can usually get away with it once, maybe twice. If the alternator was ailing for a while, the battery may have been low for a long time, which also isn’t good for a battery.
Will a car with a bad alternator start with a new battery?
A bad alternator can prevent a car from starting because it did not charge the battery when the car was running. However, even if you have a dead battery because of the alternator, you can still jump-start the car using the following method.
Can a dead battery damage an alternator?
You can damage an alternator by charging a dead battery with it. You have to remember, alternators are intended to maintain a charge on a good battery. If this weren’t true, the people who make battery chargers would be out of business.
What are signs of needing a new alternator?
- Warning Light. Many automobiles have a battery or alternator warning light on the dashboard.
- Load Test. Conducting a load test will indicate whether or not your alternator needs to be replaced.
- Voltmeter Test. You can test your charging system with a voltmeter.
- Other Signs.
When is it time to replace your car battery?
If you have to jump your vehicle more than three times in a single week, it’s time to replace your battery. Even a fairly new battery can turn into a dud really quickly if it has been jumped more than three times in a week.
Can a loose battery cable cause a car to die?
In my years as a mechanic, one thing I have learned is that an old battery or loose battery cables can cause really big problems that make it appear that something complicated is wrong with your vehicle.
Some have had the dead battery problem because of a bad cell in the battery, faulty battery cables, a bad diode in the alternator, or even a problem in the car’s radio. A dead battery after a few days has been a problem on several makes of car, not just my 2012 Hyundai Sonata.
Is the car only driven every 3 or 4 days or does it start for the first couple of days, then fail on the 3rd or 4th day of use? Does the battery have an insulating blanket. It’s pretty tight under the hood and the engine heat kills batteries fairly quickly (every 2.5 to 3.5 years).
How often does a car battery go down?
Check that the interior and underhood lights are going off with the doors and hood closed. There are roughly 10-12 interior lights in the Blazer, at 1 amp current draw apiece, they can run the battery down quickly.
How can I tell if my battery needs to be replaced?
If one or more cells is very low after fully charging the battery, that’s a sign that the battery needs to be replaced. Another way to check your battery is to use a more expensive tool called a load tester.
How long do batteries last after being reversed?
It lived for at least a year after being recovered. So normal to reversed, back to normal, at least a year of life. Batteries can take a lot more abuse then some people give them credit for. the battery may have 0V.
Is there a way to charge a dead battery?
There are some smart chargers that will charge a totally dead battery but they are not common. If you happen to have a 12V 1A power supply (a wall-wart), you can clip the plug off and connect the wires across the battery terminals (same polarity) using clips to hold the wires in place.
Is the Jeep Compass battery dead after 2 days?
Has anyone else had an issue where their 2018 Jeep compass battery is completely dead after sitting for 2 days or the weekend? I mean dead to the point the doors won’t even unlock.
What happens if your car battery is completely dead?
All of us who have driven cars have, at some time or another faced the issue of the car not starting at all because of a dead battery. But the next time you face this issue, you won’t have to panic because we will now discuss how to start a car when your car battery is completely dead.
Why does my Pontiac Solstice battery keep dying?
At least one was a brush/contact issue where the starter wouldn’t work if the armature was in a particular position. Similarly, an intermittent starter relay could cause the same symptom. Two weeks ago my car was dead, charged battery and car was okay for an hour but then battery died again.
Why does my car battery keep dying in hot weather?
Extremely hot or cold temperatures. Hot or cold weather won’t kill a battery that’s new or in good shape, but a weak or old battery may fail in extreme conditions. Extremely hot or cold weather can also magnify other underlying issues. Charging system problems. If a battery seems to die when you’re driving, the charging system may be at fault.
Why does my car battery discharge overnight or when parked?
Ask an assistant to set the parking brake, put the transmission in (automatic) or Neutral (manual), and crank the engine for a few seconds, just enough to get a good voltage reading but less than 30 seconds. If you have to crank the engine again, let the starter motor rest for a minute or more before cranking the engine again.
How long can you leave a car battery outside?
“I can usually leave them outside for two to three weeks and the battery is fine.” Much depends on the battery’s condition—newer and bigger is always better—and the elements. Extreme heat and cold can dim the lights in a matter of days.
What happens if your car battery dies in airport parking lot?
While their owners are flying off to visit friends and family, tens of thousands of automobiles will be left waiting in airport parking lots. Some of these travelers will return to discover their cars’ batteries are dead. Welcome home. Here’s a set of jumper cables.
When does a car battery start to drain?
If the battery drains when the vehicle sits for three or four days, that’s a lower amp draw than one that drains the battery overnight. Discovering the source of an electrical draw is a process of elimination. First, check the easy stuff.
How long does a car battery last when it is disconnected?
Disconnected car battery Your battery will drain faster when it’s connected to your vehicle than when it’s disconnected. When stored properly, a detached car battery can last up to six months. Like new batteries, the key to making it last is to recharge it regularly.
What to do if your car battery dies from sitting?
In the event your car battery dies from sitting too long, try jump-starting your car. This will usually get your car going again if your battery and vehicle are in relatively good condition. If that doesn’t work, it’s probably time for a replacement battery. [5] Also check to see if there are any signs of a bad alternator.
Check that the interior and underhood lights are going off with the doors and hood closed. There are roughly 10-12 interior lights in the Blazer, at 1 amp current draw apiece, they can run the battery down quickly.
What should I do if my car battery keeps draining?
The easiest way to go about this type of diagnostic is to leave your multimeter or test light connected and remove individual fuses until the drain disappears. You will then need to identify the corresponding circuit, which will help you track down the specific component that is causing a problem.
How do you know if your battery is dying?
One of the most common symptoms of a dying battery is a slow engine crank. When you hear the engine of your car cranking slowly take your car for a checkup as soon as possible. You see, your engine draws amperage from the battery during every start up, and if your battery is close to dying, you may find your car with a slow crank.
Why do batteries keep dying?
Getty Images. Some of the most common reasons for a car battery to die repeatedly include loose or corroded battery connections, persistent electrical drains, charging problems, constantly demanding more power than the alternator can provide, and even extreme weather.
Disconnected car battery Your battery will drain faster when it’s connected to your vehicle than when it’s disconnected. When stored properly, a detached car battery can last up to six months. Like new batteries, the key to making it last is to recharge it regularly.
What happens to the battery when you cycle it?
Now, cycling your lithium-ion battery from 1% to 100% habitually will take a chunk of its battery life away. To clarify, battery by itself, regardless of your habit, will deteriorate. Even when just sitting on a shelf. As you cycle the battery, irreversible internal structure changes happen.
How long does a cell phone battery last?
Does your phone’s battery last as long as it should? Typically, a modern phone battery ’s (lithium-ion) lifespan is 2 – 3 years, which is about 300 – 500 charge cycles as rated by manufacturers. After that, the battery capacity will drop by roughly 20%.
How often does a battery die in a car?
In the last two months, the battery has died completely about three times, and I couldn’t start my car. The mechanic says I need to drive the car more. (There’s only about 25,000 miles on it right now, after two years). Typically, my car sits in the garage for 4-5 days between times I drive it.
Can a new car battery be left alone for weeks?
This is especially the case in newer, more advanced cars, said Fred Rashidi, a Ford service manager. “Some of these new cars have so many electronics and modules, the battery could get drained in a matter of weeks if left alone,” he said.
Can a car battery go dead from sitting?
If you expect your car battery to sit unused for more than a month, you should consider removing the battery and storing it away. Always store your battery at full charge. This will help prevent most damage and deterioration that can happen while in storage.
What to do when your car battery goes down?
The dealer said new cars of all makes and models have so many electronics items running in the background, even when everything is “off,” that the battery on newer cars will go down fairly quickly. When my friend asked what to do, the dealer advised buying a trickle charger.
Can a bad alternator drain a car battery?
A car alternator recharges the battery and powers certain electrical systems like lights, radio, air-conditioning, and automatic windows. If your alternator has a bad diode, your battery can drain. The bad alternator diode can cause the circuit to charge even when the engine is shut off, and you end up in the morning with a car that won’t start.
Why does my car battery keep running out of water?
If you look inside the cells and see that the electrolyte level has dropped below the tops of the lead plates, that’s a problem. Battery cells should be topped off with distilled water, but going straight to the tap is usually fine depending on the quality of the water where you live.
Why does my car battery keep dying over and over?
If your car battery keeps dying over and over again, one of the simplest explanations is that there is some kind of drain on the system that persists after you remove the keys and lock the doors. Even if you’ve already ruled out obvious things like the headlights and dome light, there may still be a drain in your system.
What causes a car battery to drain while driving?
Even small drains, like the memory function in your car radio, may kill a very weak battery. Corroded or loose battery connections. Corroded battery connections can prevent the charging system from topping off your battery when you are driving. Loose battery connections can also cause problems.
How can I tell if my car battery needs to be replaced?
You can also test your battery with an inexpensive tool called a hydrometer, which allows you to check the specific gravity of the electrolyte in each cell. If one or more cells is very low after fully charging the battery, that’s a sign that the battery needs to be replaced.
How can I find out if my car battery is draining?
In most cases, the only way to track down a parasitic drain is through a process of elimination. The easiest way to go about this type of diagnostic is to leave your multimeter or test light connected and remove individual fuses until the drain disappears.
What causes battery to drain after 2 days?
As far as how much of a draw will drag your battery down, depends on how good your battery is. As little as 1/4-1/2 amp draw will drain a marginal battery. If it turns out that you have zero/no draw, then this could just be a poor battery that won’t hold a charge more than a couple days.
What to do if you get a dead battery?
– Revive the battery with jumper cables. – Change the battery. – Last-resort methods: If all the above methods aren’t feasible, or they fail, there are three substances that could possibly help to restart a battery, according to liveabout.com.
What causes a dead battery?
In many cases a dead battery is caused by using the headlights or playing the radio for an extended period of time while the car’s engine is off.
How do I know if the battery is dead?
Signs of a dead battery. First, check the dashboard battery gauge. The battery should be giving a charge, even while the vehicle is off. If the dashboard lights are dim, something is likely wrong with your battery. Try turning on your windshield wipers, lights or automatic windows.
Why is your car battery going dead?
Some of the most common reasons for a car battery to die repeatedly include loose or corroded battery connections, persistent electrical drains, charging problems, constantly demanding more power than the alternator can provide, and even extreme weather .
How can I find out if my Ford battery is dead?
Here’s a test to use with a Ford vehicle. If you’ve suffered a dead battery and both the battery and charging systems check out, it’s time to perform a parasitic drain test. The test involves hooking an ammeter in series with the negative battery cable to measure the amperage draw. Professional technicians use a clamp on ammeter.
How to find an automotive parasitic draw dead battery?
At night look under the vehicle to check for light near the engine bay, to fix this problem replace the light assembly. If you can’t find the cause of the battery drain, a manual draw check of the electrical system will need to be performed.
Can a bad battery cause a light to go out?
And if the lights and other things are out, there is a blown fuse somewhere, or several. A bad battery can not hold a charge, and that may be causing the discharge in 3 days or so, or it could be a parasitic drain. Or a short in the wiring somewhere. RandomTroll August 5, 2018, 2:51pm #7 You can get a meter for $5 and check every circuit.
Can a car battery go dead after a few days?
When I returned home, the battery was dead. I have never had that experience on any car ever I drove. This Instructable applies to my car, but with all of the modern electronics running in the background on today’s automobiles, your car may have this problem, too.
Here’s a test to use with a Ford vehicle. If you’ve suffered a dead battery and both the battery and charging systems check out, it’s time to perform a parasitic drain test. The test involves hooking an ammeter in series with the negative battery cable to measure the amperage draw. Professional technicians use a clamp on ammeter.
When does the battery go down on a 2013 Sonata?
UPDATE: October 9, 2012– A friend who owns a 2013 Sonata spoke with his dealer in a different state and city. He did not let the dealer know he is aware of the memory fuse. He asked about the battery going down in a short time.
The dealer said new cars of all makes and models have so many electronics items running in the background, even when everything is “off,” that the battery on newer cars will go down fairly quickly. When my friend asked what to do, the dealer advised buying a trickle charger.
How often should I Drive my Car before the battery dies?
The mechanic says I need to drive the car more. (There’s only about 25,000 miles on it right now, after two years). Typically, my car sits in the garage for 4-5 days between times I drive it. Would that cause the battery to die?
Can a bad alternator kill a car battery?
A defective alternator can kill a battery if bad diodes or an internal voltage regulator prevents it from charging the battery. Or a diode can leak, allowing current to flow after the vehicle engine is shut off.
How can I prevent my car battery from dying?
Since your car battery is the heart of one of your most expensive investments, it is vital to keep it in good condition. Avoid exposing your battery to extreme temperatures and awful driving habits. Keeping it cool and having a portable battery charger can help you prevent it from dying.
How can you tell if your car battery is dying?
Why your car battery is always dying?
But faulty wiring, defective fuses , and improper installation of accessories can cause extreme parasitic drain, which is one of the major causes of why your battery keeps dying all the time. If this is the case, have a trusted mechanic check your electrical system to rule out the extreme parasitic drain.
Why does my car have a dead battery?
Internal or external car lights left on by mistake can drain your battery. If your vehicle doesn’t shut these off automatically and you park your car out of sight – like in a garage – this could explain your dead battery. Your battery provides power to the starter motor when you turn the key so your vehicle can start and run.
Why does my Mercedes-Benz battery keep draining?
You try to start your Mercedes-Benz and the car is either completely dead or this happens: Battery drains happen when electronic equipment (consumer units) are constantly drawing current from the battery while the car is parked. One simple example is when lights are left on overnight. But it’s not always as simple as that.
Why does my Mercedes medic draw so much battery?
A radio receiver in the car continuously listens for wake up signal from the key. As the car receives a signal in the assigned frequency it wakes up to validate the key. This causes current draw for several seconds. If the car is left parked in high pedestrian traffic areas this could be a problem.
What should I do if my car battery is draining?
Remove the key from the ignition and let the car sit for at least 15 minutes. In some models you may need to wait up to 30 minutes for all the electronic systems to go “to sleep”. This will allow the car to shut off any electronic consumers that stay on for a brief period after the car is parked.
How long does an unused car battery last?
An unused new battery will have a much shorter life span if it’s not recharged often. [2] Your battery will drain faster when it’s connected to your vehicle than when it’s disconnected. When stored properly, a detached car battery can last up to six months. Like new batteries, the key to making it last is to recharge it regularly.
When did I start to hate factory batteries?
Every car I’ve owned had the battery replaced, I hate factory batteries! And starting in the early 90s, with the OBD and OBD2 system, they all had issues at first startup, and had a driving process to re-program the OBD2 system.
