QUICK Dead Battery.. ???

James Scott · #1 10-26-2011, 12:12 PM

Heh.. When I leave my key in ON position.. for less than 5 minutes.. .

MY BATTERY GOES DEAD THAT FAST.. !!!

Is that normal, since I run with my lights on all the time?

Thanks, Jim

P.S. Happened when cop stopped me once.. Plus many times when working on car, and needing in Neutral (like to move car, or working on shift linkage).. like YESTERDAY.. ThOT I had something in tire (Low?).. so put in Neutral.. pushed back.. left in ON for 3-5 minutes... DEAD!!!

92snowmachine · #2 10-26-2011, 12:15 PM

no that isn't normal. you should be able to leave the car on even with the headlights for at least 5 minutes.
what condition is your battery and charging system?

dcarrb · #3 10-26-2011, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Scott

Is that normal, since I run with my lights on all the time?

No, not normal. I run with my lights all the time, too. You've got a weak battery, failing alternator, or both. Or maybe some wonky circuit that's drawing abnormally.

dcb

James Scott · #4 10-26-2011, 01:31 PM

WELL.. . the alternator was replaced (about 4 mos ago) .. after battery went dead resulting from 5-7 min stop, when COP stopped me, left key ON! Battery was checked (and found GrEaT!) about two weeks ago.. I took it out .. and to Pep Boys! [After similar incident.. battery GOT dead from similar situation.]

I know where the starter circuit is! .. .Where is the WoNkY CiRcUiT?

Thanks, Jim

P.S. Battery is $180 Interstate!

kwren · #5 10-27-2011, 03:55 AM

Are you sure the battery is dead or is it that the starter won't turn the engine to try to start it?

Keith

James Scott · #6 10-27-2011, 11:32 AM

When this happens.. Then, the dash lights go out when trying to start! But, you may be at least partially right.. . The solenoid/starter may have been shorting..or sucking way too much juice when malfunctioning.. ??

After replacing starter two nights ago.. starts great..

A week or so ago.. I took battery out.. to Pep Boys (where I bot it) .. they said it was GOOD.. ?? Today, I went to Autozone.. They used a meter on the in-car battery.. They said it is DeAd! .. ??? [CHarging OK]

Of course, I'm not anxious to turn key ON for 5 minutes (without starting).. . to ChEcK!?

Thanks, Jim

RojoRocket · #7 10-27-2011, 12:38 PM

Battery chargers are actually very reasonable to purchase Jim. JK!! Being drawn down to DEAD isn't good for the battery as I recall, possibly causing complete failure. Battery going dead in such a short period of time says almost direct short to ground. Should be relatively easy to find with an ohm-meter. Disconnect battery and read across the battery cables, pulling fuses to spot the culprit.

Glenn