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  #1  
Old 10-04-2010, 05:40 AM
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New battery, but completely dead

So last week I proactively installed a new battery after my power steering/alternator belt broke.
Well later in the week, my door locks stopped working from inside...I'm thinking door lock timer gone bad? Needless to say I didn't check it, but let the car sit for 2 days without driving it. This morning the car completely dead, won't even crank.
Can someone tell me how to check for an electrical drain somewhere in the car? I wouldn't think it's the battery but not sure.

Thanks
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  #2  
Old 10-04-2010, 05:55 AM
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Re: New battery, but completely dead

Even a new battery can be almost fully discharged when installed. First thing would be to charge it fully and see if it again discharges within a couple of days.

dcb
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  #3  
Old 10-04-2010, 09:20 AM
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Re: New battery, but completely dead

1. Fully charge the battery, make sure EVERYTHING in car is turned off.

2. Let battery sit for a few hours disconnected, then measure voltage of battery with multimeter.

3. Install battery, and connect battery cables. Measure voltage again, if it is more than 1/6 volt lower connected, you have a parasitic draw.

4. Now you can eliminate each individual circuit by pulling the fuse and seeing if it kicks the voltage back to baseline.
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Old 10-04-2010, 10:14 AM
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Re: New battery, but completely dead

I know I drove the car for a few days after the new battery and let sit for at least one day and took my truck. Car was fine last week. I will charge it and follow your instructions as listed.
Thanks guys
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Old 10-04-2010, 06:26 PM
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Re: New battery, but completely dead

Checked the battery disconnected and it read 4.5vdc...charging it overnight, will check in the morning, let it sit disconnected and see if it loses charge again.
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Old 10-04-2010, 07:38 PM
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Re: New battery, but completely dead

Almost sounds like the new battery is a "bad" new battery...

Keith
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Old 10-06-2010, 06:11 PM
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Re: New battery, but completely dead

Ok does this sound like a parasitic drain so far with my numbers?

6:00am - 13.38volts
6:30am - 13.32
11:30am - 13.24
6:00pm - 13.20
8:00pm - 13.12

How long should I wait to take this battery back to the store if it is indeed bad? I was going to test numbers tomorrow all day as well.
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Old 10-06-2010, 07:10 PM
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Re: New battery, but completely dead

Quote:
Originally Posted by msvx95 View Post
Ok does this sound like a parasitic drain so far with my numbers?

6:00am - 13.38volts
6:30am - 13.32
11:30am - 13.24
6:00pm - 13.20
8:00pm - 13.12

How long should I wait to take this battery back to the store if it is indeed bad? I was going to test numbers tomorrow all day as well.
How long after the battery was charged did you take your first reading?
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Old 10-06-2010, 07:17 PM
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Re: New battery, but completely dead

within 20 seconds was my first reading.
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Old 10-06-2010, 07:20 PM
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Re: New battery, but completely dead

ok another question....is it required we need to use the negative battery cable ground wire with the stripe? I have done the alternator mod a few years ago and have the thicker negative cable going to the frame and engine, but the screw that mounted the cable(s) to the frame snapped before I could take it out. I'm wondering if I can use my thicker cable and mount it to the horn mounting screw.
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Old 10-06-2010, 07:49 PM
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Re: New battery, but completely dead

I would probably re-drill and put a bolt back in the frame...

Keith
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  #12  
Old 10-06-2010, 07:53 PM
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Re: New battery, but completely dead

Quote:
Originally Posted by msvx95 View Post
within 20 seconds was my first reading.
Ok thats normal for the voltage to drop, chargers run at higher voltage to "pump" the current in.

So over the time monitored, it was connected in the car yes?
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  #13  
Old 10-06-2010, 08:01 PM
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Re: New battery, but completely dead

no it's been disconnected from the car the whole time after I charged it. I have taken it with me and my multimeter to periodically check it during the day.
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  #14  
Old 10-06-2010, 08:03 PM
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Re: New battery, but completely dead

Quote:
Originally Posted by kwren View Post
I would probably re-drill and put a bolt back in the frame...

Keith
Ok I'm scratching my head on this one..since the screw snapped at the flange, what size/type of screw and size hole to drill in the frame? I thought they were self tapping screws from memory.....
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Old 10-06-2010, 08:32 PM
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Re: New battery, but completely dead

The self-tapping screw might need a little help

Keith
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