battery dies after one week
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TECH Resident
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Chicago, IL
battery dies after one week I went out Friday to clean up the car and get a cover on it and noticed the battery was completely drained. I've never had good luck with batteries in this car. Are there any obvious things that could cause a constant drain on it? Light switch was off, radio (aftermarket) was off, my laptop wasn't plugged in.
Even if it's 2-3 days between startups, I get the RRR-RRR-RRR then it starts.
I did notice the wipers hadn't completely descended from when I shut the car off the week before last. The A/C switch was set to defrost too. Would either of these drain power even though the fan was off and the ignition was in the off position?
Even if it's 2-3 days between startups, I get the RRR-RRR-RRR then it starts.
I did notice the wipers hadn't completely descended from when I shut the car off the week before last. The A/C switch was set to defrost too. Would either of these drain power even though the fan was off and the ignition was in the off position?
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Re: battery dies after one week You don’t have any luck period with that car Jake. I think it’s telling you that it wants to be raced more often <img src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" border="0"> <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 52
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From: Cape Coral, FL
Re: battery dies after one week I had a similar problem with mine. Turned out the positive terminal was leaking. I had to replace the battery...f---n cheap A/C Delcrap batteries. It seems to be a popular problem. Any how, check the positive terminal...
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Chicago, IL
Re: battery dies after one week Thanks. I've got a few other things to check when I look at it this week.
What's a good brand of battery to use instead of Delco? Was thinking either a regular Champion battery for ~$40 or a yellow top Optima.
What's a good brand of battery to use instead of Delco? Was thinking either a regular Champion battery for ~$40 or a yellow top Optima.
Re: battery dies after one week Jake, I have a battery I got like last August.
I have no charging problems.
You need to check alternator, maybe change your battery cables.
JOHN
I have no charging problems.
You need to check alternator, maybe change your battery cables.
JOHN
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: St Louis Mo
Re: battery dies after one week When I first got my car it would sit for a couple weeks at a time, and I had the battery replaced 3 times during the first few months. Since then my car has been in the garage for the winter months and I havn't had any problems. I will start it from time to time and the battery is fine. I don't know what happened to the first 3, but this one seems to be OK.
[ February 11, 2002: Message edited by: Matt 01SS ]</p>
[ February 11, 2002: Message edited by: Matt 01SS ]</p>
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Re: battery dies after one week I don’t think anyone here lets their car sit as much as mine, but I’ll be coming up on two years with the same battery this spring/summer and it’s doing just fine. Always starts strong, even after months of sitting.
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Verdad Gallardo Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
Re: battery dies after one week [quote]Originally posted by Jake99SS:
<strong>Ryan, do you leave the alarm set all the time? I wouldn't think that'd make a difference but...</strong><hr></blockquote>
Yep. Alarm is set full time. Just to give you an example, it sat from the middle of Oct last year till mid-December when I took it out to test the PCM. And you remember the PCM issue I had (no need to get into that again), but point is I had to crank on it A LOT, and even after 2 months of sitting (with alarm on), and then cranking on it intermittently for over 10 minutes (hoping it would start) the battery never sounded weak.
I've bought used cars with Delco batteries that I know have had years of use on them, and I put even more years on with them still being good. Sounds to me like the quality control for these batteries is letting some (too many) bad ones slip by...
<strong>Ryan, do you leave the alarm set all the time? I wouldn't think that'd make a difference but...</strong><hr></blockquote>
Yep. Alarm is set full time. Just to give you an example, it sat from the middle of Oct last year till mid-December when I took it out to test the PCM. And you remember the PCM issue I had (no need to get into that again), but point is I had to crank on it A LOT, and even after 2 months of sitting (with alarm on), and then cranking on it intermittently for over 10 minutes (hoping it would start) the battery never sounded weak.
I've bought used cars with Delco batteries that I know have had years of use on them, and I put even more years on with them still being good. Sounds to me like the quality control for these batteries is letting some (too many) bad ones slip by...
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 339
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From: Indianapolis, IN
Re: battery dies after one week mine is nearly dead after a weekend if I don't drive it all day saturday and sunday not dead enuff to clear the radio stations and whatnot but not quite powerful enuff to crank the engine over everytime
I had AC Delcos in other cars like RPM and they were great. One lasted 7 years and was still good when I sold the car
I had AC Delcos in other cars like RPM and they were great. One lasted 7 years and was still good when I sold the car
