2006 Mustang GT Premium Dead Battery Every Couple Days

[Ampire]

For about the past year the car has had a dead battery every couple times I try to drive it. I drive the car about once a week. It has the optional Shaker 1000 system. My guess is the drain is either the Shaker or the Passenger Window, which once unrolled completely down when I unlocked the car a few weeks ago. I last drove the car on Thursday and the battery is dead today (Monday). I don't really use the radio on this car and seldom even mess with the knob on it. The car has about 80,000 miles.

Is there a way to isolate the culprit to the Shaker 1000? Pull its fuse?

I put the car on a trickle charger each time and it is fine for starting until the next time it happens.

I am looking for suggestions on how to diagnose and fix this issue.

Now that the car is 10 years old all the problems seem to be emerging. I'm fairly handy and young but I had a tumor removed from my upper spinal cord 6 weeks ago and I can't do a whole lot of bending or lifting for some time so I am hoping to get a general idea of where to point a mechanic so I don't get stuck a massive repair bill for an unsuccessful fix. I might get my spark plugs changed, separator plate remedied, and this battery drain issue tackled at once but I don't want to get screwed over.

Thanks guys.

 

[BruceH]

Are you still on the original alternator? They do wear out and cause issues. It could just be that the battery isn't getting a good enough charge from the alternator.

 

[stkjock]

how old is the battery and have you had it tested?

This issue was/is a common one on the 05-06s as I recall, I know my 06 had it, one suggestion was always to be certain the radio was turned off before the ignition.

 

[bujeezus]

My alt went out on my '08 with less than 60,000 miles on it.

 

[Timmbo]

I have an 06' and it's the Shaker 1000 causing the issue. Your probably going to find this to be a PITA every time but this method works:

Before cutting off the ignition:

*Push "Menu" scroll to <> "Shaker" and choose "Shaker off"
*Then turn radio off by pushing the main control knob.
*Shut off the ignition.

I don't know if there was ever a firmware update for this radio or not because of this issue but it was pretty well known at one time. I don't drive my car enough to care so it's not a huge deal to go through the above routine for me.

 

[hammeron]

after almost 10 years, my 2006 Shaker 500 started draining the battery, even when off. i measured the current drain and it was a little over 1 amp. i pull the radio fuse now, whenever i pull into the garage.

 

[BLAKE]

What a beating. Do you think this problem is alleviated with an aftermarket head unit?

 

[hammeron]

What a beating. Do you think this problem is alleviated with an aftermarket head unit?

i cannot say for sure. but since i like the stock radio, i do not mind pulling the fuse.

 

[01yellerCobra]

We had a similar issue with our 06. It would kill a battery in 2-3 days. Even if the radio was turned off before shutting the car off. This is a Mach 500 set up. I replaced the head unit and things were fine for a while. Then it started killing the battery in 4 or so days. Shortly after that the charging system warning popped up on the dash. The diodes went bad in the alternator. Replaced that and all has been fine since.

 

[ZGrand]

My '06 came with the Shaker 1000 system, but the previous owner had replaced the head unit with a JVC unit. I don't know if anything else was done or not, but the battery never seems to drain. All the amps were left in place and are still functional. Sure sounds good.

Luckily my alternator (appears to be original) is still working fine.

 

[JeremyH]

Sounds like you may have a few things going. Alternator, water intrustion on the sjb or a short drawing current. Here is an easy way to isolate a short just need a fluke.

 

[Hotrodtinker]

I don't have the Shaker1000 and we did have the same problem and it ended up being the alternator. Just my .02 amigo. Hope you get it fixed soon!

 

[Pentalab]

Sounds like you may have a few things going. Alternator, water intrustion on the sjb or a short drawing current. Here is an easy way to isolate a short just need a fluke.

The above video will measure any current draw...with eng OFF.

Before you do the above, I would put the DVM into Vdc mode... and measure the Vdc (dc voltage) across the battery terminals.... both with eng off.....and also at idle. With eng off, it should be aprx 12.25 vdc. With eng on, at idle, it should be 14.4 vdc.

if the alternator is trashed, you won't see the 14.4 vdc at idle.
A good alternator will provide aprx 14.4 vdc..whether at idle...or wot.

If the alternator is trashed, use the alternator from a 2010, it's a drop in replacement for the 05-09 cars. The 05-09 alternators are a single phase design. The 2010 alternator is a 3 phase type, and way more eff.
No current car maker is using single phase alternators.

 

[NickD87]

What a beating. Do you think this problem is alleviated with an aftermarket head unit?

Yes, I had the issue with my shaker 500 system, the car doesn't get driven much and after a couple weeks would be dead, I put in a Pioneer radio (hooked up to the stock amps and speakers etc) and haven't had the problem since so its obviously turning off the amps or doing something different.
Prior to that I found the easiest way was just pushing the volume knob to turn the radio off before putting it in the garage.

 

[MADGT]

So, I had the dead battery problem for 8 yrs...yup, had the original one. I replaced the battery and problem solved. I can leave the car sitting for weeks and the battery does not die.

 

[Ampire]

I'll try the menu suggestion first. Maybe I should just add a kill switch for the Shaker. Battery is about 1.5 years old.

I'll look into the alternator, right now it charges up nice so I am not sure it is that. This is a problem with it discharging while the car is turned off so I really think its the shaker. Original owner should never have gotten that option, its a sub par stereo at best.

I trimmed the rubber drain grommet at the base of the windshield passenger side to prevent water backup issues, car sits under a roof anyway so I don't think thats the culprit.

 

[JeremyH]

Battey should be at least 12.6 to 12.7 volts with car off when its healthy.

 

[Ampire]

after almost 10 years, my 2006 Shaker 500 started draining the battery, even when off. i measured the current drain and it was a little over 1 amp. i pull the radio fuse now, whenever i pull into the garage.

Which fuse? Thanks.

Fuse 6 and 9 are Rear Shaker 1000 amp.
Fuse 16 is Front Shaker 1000 amp.
Fuse 56 is radio.

 

[wildbillcody]

I have a shaker 1000 and aftermarket head unit an also have the same issue I just keep it on the battery tender while in the garage

 

[hammeron]

Which fuse? Thanks.

Fuse 6 and 9 are Rear Shaker 1000 amp.
Fuse 16 is Front Shaker 1000 amp.
Fuse 56 is radio.

hi, its fuse 56 in the BEC (engine bay).

it has solved my drainage issue and the battery holds voltage now, just as it should.