Battery Issues

[D_bone33]

I for some reason cant hold a charge on my car. If i dont run it within 10 hours the car is dead. I started thinking maybe it was the altenator, but then if i take my battery out while the car is running, the car will stay running, which means my altenator is working, in order to countinue running the car. Also if i get on it, and all i can smell a fart smell in the car, only when i really get on it. Which i thought means taht its over charging. I have a saleen supercharger on the car, and i have no idea if that requires a bigger crank amp batter or not. I have repalced the battery already. It seems that something on, and just slowly draining the battery, or that when the supercharger is going and really rapping out, that its like over charging my battery, does anyone have any idea why this is happening.

 

[Chrome61]

Have the battery load tested, I've seen new batteries not hold a charge, and when I said load tested that's the gizmo that lights up like a toaster oven when you use it.

 

[discofan]

I had the same thing happen to my battery...

There may be a drain on your battery from the radio system...

Our cars have a reputation for draining the battery fast if the car is not driven regularly...

Also, you could go to a place that can test your charging system and test if there is a significant drain on the battery when te car motor of off...

This may not help you but since your alternator isd working fine, you will need to go to step 2, and begin testing other alternative draining problems...

Sorry I can't be more specific... Dave

 

[HAPPY HIPPO]

My car just died also! went on vacation in dec for 2 weeks came back and dead. Replaced the battery left for school in ft benning wife starts and drives the car a few miles every sunday but now all of a sudden dead. The car clicks and clacks but doesnt turn over. unfortunately still have 3 more weeks till i graduate so it will sit for now.

 

[Boosted05GT]

Wow, I really thought I was the only one having this issue. I have had My alternator replaced 3 times. I have bought 3 different batteries before finally landing on a yellow top optima. In the beginning I thought that my old batteries were dying because of the cold weather, but then when I bought the optima I had the same issue. Starting daily and the car is good. Don't start the car over the weekend and its dead. Even in the summer heat it still dies if its not started daily. Ive heard from a few people that somewhere in the system something is drawing power while the car is off but I haven't been able to find it. My stang has been supercharged with a paxton for since 07 and has never had this problem until last winter. I am at a loss and have just accepted starting the car daily.

 

[God]

You should check to see what your parasitic draw is using an ammeter with everything turned off. Either use a clamp-on style or connect it in series with the battery.

Some folks have reported the radio needs to be turned off before the engine is shut off to prevent battery draining, but I can not confirm this.

 

[Boosted05GT]

You should check to see what your parasitic draw is using an ammeter with everything turned off. Either use a clamp-on style or connect it in series with the battery.

Some folks have reported the radio needs to be turned off before the engine is shut off to prevent battery draining, but I can not confirm this.

I can see that as the issue has started after I swapped the factory stereo head for a 7 inch in dash. I hate electronics so I wont pretend that I understand how to do the procedure so is that something that a local Auto Zone could do for me?

 

[God]

Autozone used to have OTC Minuteman / ARST testers. These have clamp-on ammeters, but I don't think the resolution of those testers is very good. It may be worth a try though. You could also try other stores such as Advance Auto to see what they can do for you.

 

[GT Speeder13]

Add me to the list!!! I have a yellow top, stock radio and PA Performance Alt with wiring kit and if I dont start and drive my car within 12 hours the battery is dead! I dont get it and Ive been rewiring and looking for a solution since November!

 

[RedfireV8]

Are you guys running HIDs or any other aftermarket "electronics"? I replaced my alternator 5 times last year due to my HIDs. Removed them and the problem went away.

 

[Wicked One]

Mine has been going dead since the day it was new. lost track of how many batteries, testings and what have you.

I just deal with it, and always put my tender on when I get home. It sucks, but there is not a fix that I have found yet. Radio on/off, parasitic loss is withing range (can't remember what it was) alt great, new battery.....on and on.....still craps out after a day or 2.

 

[GT Speeder13]

Are you guys running HIDs or any other aftermarket "electronics"? I replaced my alternator 5 times last year due to my HIDs. Removed them and the problem went away.

Ive been running HID's 2 years now but this problem has just started within the past 8 months or so. I have re-wired my alternator to see if that changes things

 

[rojizostang]

do you guys with these issues still have the clutch on the alternator pulley? it seems i remember a post somewhere saying this was in issue. i have the clutch-less saleen pulley, and have never experienced any drain down problems. just a thought.

 

[Boosted05GT]

Before throwing a rod I had Auto Zone check if I had any currents or volts flowing while my car was off but there was nothing out of the norm. I have had HID's for a year and a half but I had this issue before the install. I have stated turning off my radio before turning off the car, I have even stopped using my remote to lock the doors. I manually flip the lock switch before killing the car and still if the car is not started daily it dies. Sometimes I can make it past 24 hours but if I go for the weekend it wont turn over. Then when I start it, there is a funny smell that comes from under the hood......Theres no way in hell that my security flashing light could possibly drain that much power from the battery.

 

[Mustang30212]

Replaced the battery left for school in ft benning

So you're in my neck of the woods!!

RH

 

[jeffie on juice]

Serious Auto Zone to test your stuff ??
Why not pay a real shop with ASE techs to find out what's wrong. Instead of some 8.50$ hourly kid. Pay the 40 bucks and have everything tested and find the draw

 

[Boosted05GT]

Serious Auto Zone to test your stuff ??
Why not pay a real shop with ASE techs to find out what's wrong. Instead of some 8.50$ hourly kid. Pay the 40 bucks and have everything tested and find the draw

I will end up doing that when I get my car back from the shop, but everyone on here is a "expert matter".

 

[Rene06GT]

i have the SAME issue also, from what i was told when i upgraded my fuel system they ran something to stay running of the battery... (driver maybe) but i have just accepted the problem also....

 

[GT Speeder13]

This is one of the main issues that is causing me to conisder getting rid of my car and the Key issue behind stopping me from wanting to mod it anymore... Kinda sucks, but I am bringing my car to my mechanic in the next week or so to find out WTF is going on... Im to the point were I will turn off my car, check with a volt reader and my Yellow top is at 12.6v (about norm) and 7-9 hours later my volt reader is showing 7.5v on the same yellow top, $235 battery that should outlive any car. Ive had autozone replace the yellow top 3 times now, so its not a faulty battery. There is something drawing huge amounts of power and I am OVER IT! lol

 

[HAPPY HIPPO]

got back from FT.Benning after 3 1/2 months and I think I figured out why my battery died! Stupid skull you plug into where the cigarette lighter goes and it lights up. Charged the battery and have had no problems since I threw that stupid skull out of my car.